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Peggy's Wedding. Debbie, Jane, and Jill as the wedding singers.
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Day after Jill's wedding. Q: Which one doesn't belong?
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Jill's wedding. The cousins.
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Thanksgiving in New York at Sue's pad (1994)
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Mom's 60th--some Italian joint in New Jersey.
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The Briar Cliff Manor shoot
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One of the last 389 East 42nd St. gatherings
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 The California primary color shoot
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A QUICK TAKE ON SUE
The story handed down from Sue's parents is that on November 5,1932 a beautiful
little girl was born whose first words out of the womb was, "that trip
was ridiculous, I want to speak to the head of OBGYN". The second set of
words was, "where's the nearest Loehmann's?"
70 years later as a result of speaking to untold managers, heads of departments, managers, et al, we can all sleep better knowing Sue is out there crusading for better service for us all. Additionally, her addiction to Loehmann's has remained steadfast in spite of the aggressive encroachment of the upstart Target stores.
We all know this to be but a pastime to Sue when she is not busy doing constructive and supportive deeds for her friends, family and mere acquaintances. She is the quintessential "doer" and renown for her sporadic 'sweeps" into unsuspecting households, with the beneficiaries exclaiming, "Who was that masked woman?"
1945 was the year WWll ended and the year we met. Not dramatically in a bomb shelter, we were only 14 and 15 years old respectively, but at Camp Scatico. The ensuing years we shared was of course highlighted by the births of our four wonderful, loving children. They certainly were the priorities of our lives and remain so today. Her parenting certainly is positively reflective in each one respectively.
As to Sue's ongoing charitable work, I guess the scene I will always recall was in the late 60's when she was totally immersed in one of the first national Head Start programs in Paterson. I went to pick her up down at the "projects" and there she was outside, conducting classes for what looked like a hundred little black kids surrounding her with their smiling faces. Head Start had a double entendre, for this was certainly the start of another dimension in the life of Sue.
Then of course a scene out of the sixties when Sue organized a sit in outside the mayor's office at Paterson City Hall with members of the Task force along with many vociferous street people. I, at the time, was appointed as special assistant to the mayor and occupied an office next door to the mayor. A police officer came into my office to inform me they were ready to handcuff my wife and detain her and her cohorts. Knowing she was making her famous roast beef dinner that night (something I was not willing to forgo for some social issue) I somehow had the mayor come to terms with the issues at hand. The sit in ended and Sue went home to make the gravy.
Well, we covered birth, marriage, charity and character, that leaves vocation. And that leaves me with the same comment I have given throughout our marriage and to date when someone inquires, "What does Sue do?" My reply is consistent, 'I never knew what she did when I was married to her and I certainly don't know what she does now" but it works. Between us, quite candidly, with all the impromptu traveling and shopping she does, I think she runs contraband Target goods.
Well Sue, I had to put this into third person or else this would have gotten too personal and once this goes on the web I know literally hundreds of people you have touched worldwide will be sharing this. Why in the world would I want to share with all these strangers stories like the time (before we were married) we took the train back to Syracuse University and tipped the porter in coach to give us a compartment with a berth then we……...oops!
Really sorry I can't be there to share your celebration of life but I am committed to a turkey on the West Coast. You have my best wishes for a Happy Birthday and…….
My love,
Don
She's tall and pretty and filled with pride
Her inner feeling she'll never hide
And that's what's so great about being with Sue
Whatever she's feeling, it comes out true.
If she likes you, you're in, if not you're OUT
But she'll always be laughing and never pout.
And that's what so great about being with Sue
You know if you're in, you're one of the few.
She always has stories, she always has tales
Her advice is so good, and it never fails
And that's what's so great about being with Sue
You learn about life and learn about what is new.
She keeps up with people all over the world
Reaches out to all, like a banner unfurled
And that's what's so great about being with Sue
Her opinions are global and terribly true.
I've known her since she was merely a Baby
Marty wheeled her to me in her carriage daily
And that's what's so great about being with Sue
She's as gorgeous and smart as she was when she was new.
I cannot beloved that this Baby is 70
She sure doesn't look more than 18 or twenty
And that's what's so great about being with Sue
There's so much to talk about, so much to do.
So keep on my darling, go to eighty and ninety
Or even one hundred, it would please the Almighty
And that's what's so great about being with Sue
She'll laugh, but she'll do it, and I hope I'm here too…
Happy, Happy Special birthday darling Sue...
I adore you….I adore you….I really do!
Tippie
SUSAN
IS
Sassy Scintillating Stunning Self-assured Self-reliant Smart Spirited Social Spontaneous Spunky Sexy Stimulating, Strong Striking Stylish Surprising
Energetic Effective eloquent Engaging Entertaining Enthusiastic Entrepreneurial
Vivacious Vibrant Venturesome Verbal Versatile Vigorous Vivid Vocal
Elegant Estimable Exciting Extraordinary Exuberant Exceptional
Nervy Networker Nomadic Nonconformist Nonpareil Noteworthy
Tireless Tornado Tough Traveler Tall
Young-at-heart (well, some letters are better than others!)
But seventy, how can this be? No, no-never seventy! You show us how to get older
without aging and give us hope that we can keep learning no matter what the
date on our birth certificates.
Love Bobby and Beth
Dear Sue
Not many former and current wives are blessed with a relationship like ours;
nor can many "boast" that the occasions of their mutual attendance
do not cause family members angst. Because of this, we have shared many wonderful
times together with all of our children and grandchildren not to mention extended
family and friends.
I hold many memories of your acts of generosity and kindness on my heart. One
that I hold most dear was in the early 1990's when the children were very young
and Don was in the hospital diagnosed with a serious heart condition. Within
a couple days of this sudden situation you were at my door telling me you wanted
to handle everything at home, freeing me to stay at Don's side uninterrupted.
Thank you for your many kindnesses Sue! May the celebration of your life be unending!
Happy Birthday!
Bonnie
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Dear Sue Happy Birthday! I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how Love, |
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Dear Sue Sue, Who knew that a daughter's, fathers, ex wife could mean so much to that You are such an amazing person, and have meant so much to me I will never forget the many fun times we had shopping, talking, and walking about various cities. You never cease to amaze me with all the wonderful things you do, and with your endlessness love towards people. I miss you, and hope to see you soon!!! Happy birthday Sue Sue!! Never ever forget how much you mean to me, and to everyone else I love you!! Love ya, |
Happy Birthday to my beautiful Tonta Susan! I love you from your head to your long toes. You introduced me to the world of ice cream sodas, sundaes, and parties where you served frittatas (I cleaned up the kitchen after that party and loved every minute). You are a woman who knows how to walk into a room; you have your own style and a great sense of yourself. I always feel loved by you when you're around, be happy and stay healthy!
Love always,
Heidi Sue
P.S.~ I want to thank you for giving me Jilly.
Hallo Sue,
It's your birthday and on this day I want you to know that you are a very special
person who has touched and warmed many lives including mine, I also want you
to know how much I appreciate you.
These past two years have been two of the happiest and best in my live. And
you have been a big part of that. You became a very good friend of mine. I don't
have a grandmother anymore. But if I could have another one, I would choose
you because you are one of the greatest and warmest person I ever met. You have
been there for me and I want to thank you for all what you did and still do
for me.
I wish I could be there to tell you all of that in person. Have the best birthday.
I will see you soon.
Love
Libby
Happy 70th Birthday Aunt Sue!
With lots of love and wished for all good things, Liz, Scott, Rachel, Robert
and Hanna
Dear Sue,
Life is so strange with it's twists and turns,
Full of surprises as everyone learns.
So it was destined that I was introduced to you,
And the rest of the Kohlreiter family too.
You were pregnant with Debbie in 1954,
When my romance with David began to soar.
What excitement when you became the mother of Deb,
She arrived with the fanfare of a full fledged celeb.
Soon after cane Jane, followed by Doug and Jill,
Who continued to give the family a thrill.
On 33rd Street in Paterson, you were mother and wife,
Where dinners and hospitality were part of your life,
I will never forget how you helped me survive,
My first big dinner party in 1965.
Just have confidence you said and a determined will,
And it doesn't matter if you don't have the skill.
The dinner was a success, like a catered affair.
You carried it off with your usual flair.
Now you've reached 70 and you're still going strong,
With that positive attitude you still carry along.
As a fun loving grandma, you defiantly fit the bill,
With your busy lifestyle, you hardly sit still.
So keep busy Susan, it suits you to a tee,
An active state of mind is defiantly the key.
And not worry if you occasionally forget
That's just being a part of the "senior set".
So enjoy life's bounty with your usual zest,
And may your days in the future be the very best!
Love Ruthie and David
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