Kids

 Mom:
The person who gave me life and saves it on a weekly basis in more ways than the readers of this note need to know (!);

Mommy:
Who takes David when I need to go out of town, or am going out or just need a break (and any other time she can!), who tries really hard not to ask too many questions about where I'm going and with whom (I am almost 48 now mom!!!);

Grammy:
Who is the most wonderful grandmother and surrogate parent to David. You gild my little lily-boy!! His little face absolutely lights up when he sees you or even hears your voice;

Mother:
Who taught me that we each hold the key to our own happiness.....with a little help from our moms!!

I love you very much,

Deb

November 5, 2002

Dear Mom,

Life is surely a journey--the road has highs and lows
And if traversed deftly--and I think yours is one of those,
Then each birthday you celebrate shines even more light
On the many wondrous things that you have done right.

You've raised four pretty great kids, if I can say so as one
But that is the least of what you've accomplished and done.
Always true to yourself, your only addiction
(Besides shopping) is living life with conviction.

You're a septuagenarian now and there's no evidence of slowing
In fact I think your energy and zest for life is growing.
From civil rights to schools and now for prevention
You work tirelessly, with integrity and without regard to convention.

You are magnanimously generous and widely admired
I am one among many whom you have inspired.
Your energy and beauty are still at full throttle--
You'd make a fortune if you could get it into a bottle.

Your approach to seventy is a strong indication
That there will many more reasons for celebration
So I send you my love and want to say
That I wish you love and happiness every day.

Happy, happy birthday!


With love,
Janie

About Sue

Well my part of the story (like the rest of these tales), starts in Paterson......

I remember happy days on 33rd St.. Oddly, I also remember two profoundly sad ones too. The day that Poppy Jack passed away, and also watching the Kennedy funeral on TV with you. I can only assume JFK's short term influenced your commitment to civil rights, community, and other pro social endeavors.

Off to 37th street, more good times. A lively house Lots of parties, lots of friends, and the front door always open. Big Christmas gatherings, Thanksgiving dinners, Passover's, a big pot of marinara sauce on the stove Sunday afternoon's for a post football feast.

I remember roast beef, ribs (yum), pot roast (yuck...dad loved it. I hated it), liver (double yuck). We sure ate a lot of red meat in those days! I remember nights out to dinner at Steve's, or the Chinese place at 125th and Broadway, Howard Johnson's, Pizza Town, Johnnie and Hangies, and cringing as you dressed down the poor schmuck who got the order wrong.

I remember you on the phone quite a bit, waiting for what seemed like endless hours outside the dressing room at Loehmans, and cringing as you reduced the incompetent sales clerk to tears.

And of course, who could forget the trial of the Paterson Three, and the case of the missing Sara Lee Cupcake? The greatest Who Dunnit in the Herzog history. Somehow, you were unable to crack the case until the statute of limitations expired.

I remember you knee deep in the community. Head Start, HUD, Eastside High, Sunday meetings of a battered women's group, ("Happy Mother's Day Mom, Happy Battered Mother's Day.....Ladies"). I remember Black Panthers, Mayoral campaigns, and the ultimate "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" guest...Ruben "Hurricane" Carter. There was even an effort to start your own independent school.

I remember music. Motown, Aretha, Isaac Hayes, Ramsey Lewis, and then inexplicably Mac Davis, Englebert Humperdinck, and Tom Jones!!!????

I remember you took us to see Ray Charles and Gladys Knight and the Pips (I didn't know they made velour tuxedos), Al Green ("Mom, are they throwing underwear at him"?), and of course the trip to Kingston Jamaica to see Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley, a trip that started a life long obsession with Reggae.

There were other island excursions, to Bermuda (to visit Mignon), and innumerable trips to Sue World Headquarters in St. Thomas. Where it often seemed you were happiest.

Then there were all the New York City adventures. Greenwich Village, food festivals, a trip to the 92nd St. Y so I could get Walt "Clyde" Frazier to autograph my book (I still have it!). I later realized you were probably as excited as me to meet him.

You escorted me and my under age friends in Mikell's and Broady's on the West Side to check out Stuff, Average White Band, David Sanborn, The Striders, Odyssey, and Gail Wynters.

In the days after Dad left we had our ups and downs. But we managed to make it. The house was always buzzing with friends and boarders. Incredibly, I never had to leave the house to be exposed first hand to
the multi cultural world around us. I remember waking you to tell you about the RFK assassination, and your passion for the non violent message of MLK. ( I vaguely remember you dragging us downtown to listen to a speech he gave at a church...we listened outside as it was packed inside. Did I imagine this?).

Your world revolved around the kitchen table, ours in the basement. Where a, "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy was in effect. The house was ground zero for our gang, and you gave us a great deal of latitude in how to handle ourselves. While we engaged in a lot of typical teenage doings, we respected the room you gave us by rarely crossing the line.

There were Kool cigarettes, that bad white wine you favored, a car strewn with junk and parking tickets, the legendary brown couch, and a series of business endeavors...Reggie and Coleen....trips to Danbury on the bus, and something at Columbia University.

These are just a handful of memories I have, but not nearly the most important. What I'll always take with me is your incredible energy, independence, and your undying passion makes your community, and the world around you, a better place. While you may not have always been on time, your moral compass never wavered.

Thanks Mom, for always encouraging reaching a little farther, standing a little taller, and to always do the right thing. You taught me how to lead, believe in myself, and ultimately the possibilities that come with that. Your love, encouragement, and support have helped me achieve all that I could ever dream.

You have made an indelible impression on everyone you meet. Your beauty, and your spirit make you truly remarkable, one of a kind, and without question....unforgettable.

I love you always.

Happy Birthday

oxox,
dh

The Tale of Sue

Oh to be the daughter of a woman like Sue
The tale is one of amazement that's true
Strict, independent and very aggressive
Her life's work and accomplishments are more than impressive

As queen of the house from birth she did reign
The most beautiful girl not one to be tamed
The oldest of Poppy's triple collection
She was treated like royalty, dressed to perfection

She sailed through her teens with her beautiful smile
And before she could graduate walked down the aisle
The life shared with Dad had storybook moments
Four kids, several dogs, a monkey and some rodents

The 60's and 70's brought on new directions
And Sue took them on with deep deep reflection
The Paterson house a revolving front door
The constant entertaining was never a bore

She exposed us to soul, reggae, blues, R&B
We were raised "color blind" and only to see
That people should be judged by their character not color
And she celebrated other cultures like no other mother

The code phrase for Sue is she "doesn't miss a trick"
The party, the wedding or when someone's sick
We've shared her with many she's adopted along the way
But we know that we're counted in a very special way

I am the daughter that reflects in her eyes
Who holds on tight to the family ties
Like your mother before you you've made an impression
My children and I learn from your important life lessons

My love for you Mom is beyond words that will rhyme
May we continue to make new memories yours and mine
Many adore and admire and love you that's true
But no one could love you more than I do.

So on this day we celebrate your 70 years
The love, the laughter and even the tears
My life is more colorful because you're my mother
I couldn't imagine having any other.

Happy Happy Birthday Mommy!

Love Jill
Dear Sue,.

Happy Birthday! May you have 70 more years of successful shoe shopping. Stay healthy and keep travelling!

Love ,
Noreen

One of my first memories of Sue is actually about the "idea" of Sue. A few months after we met, Jill and I went to St. Thomas, where Sue was living, for a vacation. Jill told me we'd be staying in her mom's house, and I looked forward to meeting her. When we arrived, though, Sue was gone -- off the island -- and we had the house to ourselves. This was strange to me: whenever I visited my parents, they were always there. But then I realized that Sue had "left town" specifically so that Jill and I could have a romantic getaway on our own. I've learned through the years, of course, that Sue is always leaving town -- her friends call our house wondering where she is and I always have to admit that I have absolutely no idea! Still, I've never forgotten that first occasion of Sue's selflessness or the countless times since then that she has put others before herself. Just a year or so after that first visit of ours to St. Thomas, for instance, Sue did the same thing for friends of mine -- complete strangers to her -- who needed a place to honeymoon.

Jill's commented often about how Sue would give a stanger the shirt off her back if they needed it. It's true. She also would give them the home from beneath her feet. I read and hear people's memories of Sue in times of civil rights marches and Black Panther meetings, and it's clear to me that she is someone who not only has talked the talk over the years, but has walked the walk of true concern, empathy, and support for others... throughout her life. As friends, family, and strangers alike, we are blessed to have someone like Sue in our lives. Thank you, Sue Sue, for all the love that you have given us and all that you have done for us. We love you!

Happy Birthday,

Dick


Sue's mission in life is to get the four of us photographed whenever possible...with her!


The 70s turtleneck shots

The Linda Rondstadt inspired Christmas at Dad's

Heidi's Wedding