LOVE. Mom loved everyone. She loved every child she ever met or saw and winked at, especially the ones with a little twinkle of mischief in their eye. She loved every caregiver and every housekeeper she ever had. Yes, Jon, even Edith from Beautiful Barbados. She loved everyone in her community, every dear friend, and especially her family.
FAMILY. Mom showed us what family meant. She worked hard to keep all of us close by creating family traditions that would continue to bring us all together. She had a plan for how close she wanted her family to be and she executed her plan flawlessly. She welcomed Sara and Meryl into the family and loved them like the daughters she never had, she loved, loved, loved each and every grandchild, loved Joe and I more than we often deserved, and especially loved Dad.
STRENGTH. Mom was the strongest person I have ever known. These past 15 years have been a show of unyelding strength in the face of multiple cancers, ongoing pain, and a failing body. Her mind was always sharp. She made a pact with God that she wanted to be at each grandchild’s bar and bat mitzvah and through sheer strength of will, (and some help from above), she achieved her goal.
GENEROSITY. Everyone knows how generous Mom was. She was generous with her treasure, her time, and her encouraging words. There isn’t anyone who spent any time with Mom that didn’t come away changed for the better and with a feeling that they could accomplish anything.
FUNNY. Mom had an amazing sense of humor and joy for life. She loved funny and inappropriate birthday, valentine’s day, and Halloween cards. Halloween was her favorite time of year. She loved Halloween because of all the kids that would come to the door and because she thought toilet papered trees were pretty.
She taught us what hell night was all about, and showed us how to raid and prank our neighbors. Apologies to the Patotskis for filling the space between your front door and screen door with leaves and ringing the bell, and running and to anyone who may have “accidentally” got sprayed with shaving cream on October 30th as Mom drove us by. I’d also like to apologize to anyone in Hampton Heights, Mom loved driving through the piles of leaves along the road. Additional apologies to any of my carpool friends who got squished against the windows when Mom took her infamous sharp turns, and I forgive you Mom for continuing to play bumper-brakes (the act of continuously pressing the brakes to make the car go bump, bump) even after I begged you to stop because of my car sickness.
I have loved every naughty, fun filled and special moment that I got to spend with you.
A beautiful lady indeed. I did not know Sue but in reading what friends and family have said on Facebook, a wonderful lovely compassionate and beautiful lady whose presence and love graced many. I am a cousin of Sara Viener. Much love from my wife Nancy my son Ian and myself Barney Kavanagh.
Posted by: Barney kavanagh | September 13, 2016 at 09:36 PM
Sue, we love you, we miss you. We loved how you loved our family unconditionally. Rest in peace. -- Ken Lakin and family.
Posted by: Ken Lakin | September 14, 2016 at 03:28 PM