Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Sue Weisman, 1910-2012

My grandmother, Sue Weisman, whom some of you have gotten to know here over the years, has passed away. She was 101.

Grandma Sue’s 102nd birthday would have been a week from Saturday, and as frail as she became in the past year or so, you never quite believed she wouldn’t roll right into through that milestone and many more. She was indomitable. I’m not sure I’ve ever known a woman who was more self-possessed.

She was born in New York into a childhood, the sixth of eight siblings, that eventually found her family in the thick of the Prohibition-defying liquor trade. She moved to Chicago, married at age 20, into a world where the shadow of Capone hovered over her young household’s livelihood. She, her husband Aaron and my father, aunt and uncle moved to Los Angeles in 1951, first renting a house from the Mankiewicz family that was the home of the actual Rosebud from Citizen Kane. And in this city she stayed, becoming a founding volunteer for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, to whom she provided services for approximately half a century, indulging her limitless love of art.

She played catch with me in our backyard in her 60s, and encouraged me in every way.

She cherished her family. And we all thought the world of her.

Previous

‘Mad Men’ opening day, ‘Luck’ season finale

Next

Dodgers invest in 16-year-old pitcher

46 Comments

  1. Rest in peace Sue.

  2. Condolences to you and the whole family Jon, 
    Loved hearing about her every year – felt like I was lucky to know her, even if I knew her through you

    What a life! Truly a chance for your heart breaking mourning also be a chance to celebrate a life well lived.

  3. this is HJ by the way – not sure why showing up like this again

  4. I’m sorry for your loss Jon. My Condolences go out to you, your family, and everyone who loved her. 

  5. Please accept my condolences.  Thanks for letting us know about your grandmother over the years.

  6. Wow!  What a life!  Sorry for your loss.

    I do love the “Ty Cobb” separated hands batting stance.

  7. Anonymous

    My heartfelt condolences, Jon.  As someone who only got to see my grandmothers once per year at most (they lived in the Midwest) I always thought it was great how close you were to Grandma Sue.  May she have a nice catch with the Big Dodger in the Sky come Opening Day.  Take care.

  8.  :( Many condolences to you/your family. I know how great she was, from reading some of your reminiscences here. Lost my own version of Sue a few yrs back, and then my grandfather who made it to 100 by just one day. Also an amazing person who lead an amazing life, as did your Sue. My sympathies in this time of grieving and remembering. 

  9. Anonymous

    My condolences to you and your family Jon.  What an amazing grandmother!

  10. Anonymous

    My best to you and your family.  I have really enjoyed reading about her and the rest of your family through the years

  11. Anonymous

    What a long, well-lived life your Grandma Sue had. How remarkable that she retained her spark for over ten decades. Thank you for sharing it with us.

  12. Channa Coggan

    Zichronah Le’Bracha – May Her Memory Be For A Blessing

  13. Anonymous

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Jon.

  14. KT

    Wow, She definitely had a full life….My condolensces…Since you said she was frail the last year, you can now look at it as she now has full capacity in a better place…Always look on the bright side

  15. Condolences and best wishes to you and your family, Jon. She sure lived a full life.

  16. Anonymous

    Sorry for your loss Jon. Sounds like a life very well lived.

  17. Anonymous

    Sorry to hear about your loss.  It sounds like she lived an illustrious life even well into her old age.  That’s the best anyone can hope for for their loved one.  I’ve worked with those afflicted with Alzheimer’s for many years now, so I understand the other side.  May the memory of her never fade with your family.

  18. Anonymous

    RIP Grandma Sue.  Condolences to Jon and his family for their loss.

  19. Anonymous

    My condolences. Can you clarify the part about “the actual Rosebud”?

  20. Anonymous

    My sincerest condolences.  Sounds like an amazing lady.  One of my favorite stories as a kid was hearing about how my great grandpa use to run liquor for Capone.

  21. Anonymous

    Today would have been Tennessee Williams’ 101st birthday. If you are looking for perspective.

  22. Anonymous

    My condolences to you and your family.  I am sure all of the family will cherish her memory.

  23. Todd

    My condolences to you and your family….RIP Sue

  24. Jon, condolences to you, and I hope you’re cherishing memories of a great life.

  25. Anonymous

    RIP Sue.  Sorry to hear about your loss Jon.  You were lucky to have such a good relationship with your grandmother.  One of mine died when I was 10, she lived with us for about a year when I was a toddler, but I didn’t see her much during the last 5 or so years of her life, so I really didn’t know her well.  Same is true with my Okinawan grandmother (oba); I only met her a few times and unfortunately couldn’t carry a conversation with her since she only spoke Japanese and Okinawan, and I only knew a few words of each.

  26. Anonymous

    Condolences to you and the family Jon…she sounded like an amazing woman who lived an incredible life.

  27. As always, Jon, you say it so well.  We are so lucky to have had her for so long, even if the end might have been a little too long.  I miss her and always will.  Thank you Grandma Sue for giving us such a great family.

  28. Hope it’s okay for an off topic comment here (well, it’s on topic as far as Dodgers go, but this feels a little trivial… But:)

    Dylan Hernandez ‏ @dylanohernandez: John Grabow exercised the out clause in his contract and the#Dodgers didn’t add him to their roster, making him a free agent.

    •  Of course – didn’t intend for this to short-circuit the baseball chat. Just haven’t had time to do any  myself.

  29. Anonymous

    May she rest in peace.  For some reason I was thinking about my own long-departed Big Momma just last night.  Cherish your memories of her.

  30. Anonymous

    RIP Mrs. Weisman.

  31. Anonymous

    I’m sorry for your loss Jon.

    When my dad was 6 his dad died of a heart attack and it took a toll on him his whole life. Try to remember all the good time you two had.

    May her soul rest in peace

  32. Anonymous

    I couldn’t help but notice that Grandma Sue was wearing Blue. May she be with the Big Dodger in the Sky. 

  33. Anonymous

    RIP.  My best to you and your family.  I’m glad your kids had a chance to know their great grandmom.  She does fit the bill for being a great grandmom too.  

  34. Anonymous

    Could it be? If Gordon can hit .280 and hold down SS, with his speed he is an assasin of pitchers, and adds a 3rd piece to Kemp and Kershaw. Oh–let us hope.

  35. Anonymous

    Jon,
    Gotta especially love a lefty at the plate!  Thanks for sharing some of your joy of knowing her with us.  My prayers and thoughts to you and your family.

  36. Anonymous

    Condolences to you and your family, Jon. Grandma Sue sounded like a true original. 

  37. Anonymous

    Sorry for the your loss and for your family’s loss.  Thank you for sharing her wonderful life with us for the past few years.

  38. Thanks, everyone.

    NPUT

  39. Anonymous

    My condolences to the Weisman clan.  R.I.P. Sue.

  40. I’m really sorry to hear, Jon… but certainly a life worth celebrating.  I feel like I knew her from your colorful posts about her.  My well-wishes to you and your family.

  41. May her memory be for a blessing- Tihiyeh Zicrona L’vracha.

  42. Anonymous

    My condolences to you and your family, Jon.

  43. Thomas Beatty

    My condolences as well.  She sounds like an amazing woman.  

Comments are closed.

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén