Hawthorn Woods school secretary knows names of every kid, parent

Susan Lindner not only knows the names of all 530 elementary students at the school where she works, she can recite all the parents' names and knows what most of them do for a living.

But it doesn't stop there for the secretary at Spencer Loomis school in Hawthorn Woods.

The Lake Zurich resident recalls the names of just about every student who has walked through the hallways during her 17-year career working in the front office. She spent 10 years at May Whitney before Spencer Loomis was built.

"I've always had a thing for names," said Lindner, who staffs the front office, greeting everyone who comes into the school.

Her recollection recently shocked a new student teacher who reported to the office for his first day of work. Lindner looked up to greet the 22-year-old visitor. "I knew who he was right away. He was a new student at May Whitney in fourth grade," Lindner said.

Student teacher Dayne Cunard was stunned that she remembered him more than 12 years later. "She recognized me immediately and remembered everything about me," Cunard said with a laugh, adding that she even remembered where he had come from when he was a new student at the elementary school all those years ago.

When students come back to the school to visit, Lindner calls them by name. "I remember them all. It's kind of crazy," she says with a sincere smile. Lindner, who raised her three children in Lake Zurich, has developed a reputation for her keen memory, which she says is not photographic.

"She remembers everyone," said Marsha Smyser, administrative assistant to the superintendent of District 95. "Her ability adds to the atmosphere in the building," Smyser added.

Parents agree.

"It is truly amazing," said Lake Zurich mom Dina Wohler, saying Lindner greets everyone who walks into the office by first name and always has "a big, happy smile on her face."

"She's gifted," she added.

In addition to making parents and students feel welcome, Lindner's memory helps out Principal Grant Seaholm when he has to contact families about a school situation.

"It's a huge asset to the school," Seaholm said.

Lindner, who worked in sales for Allstate for 19 years before joining the school district, ponders whether the trait is inherited.

Her mother has the same powers of recall. And Lindner says her son, Matt, has the best memory of the trio. He goes beyond names to sports knowledge, recalling every score, statistic, player trade and team record.

Lindner credits her sharp memory to playing countless hours of board games. She said, "We were big game players growing up."