March 18, 2021. Predeceased by her loving husband, Allan Lippman, sister and brother-in-law, Eileen and James Kleeberg, and parents, Molly and Max Zlotnick.
Survived by son & daughter in law, Jeremy and Anh Lippman; daughter & son in law, Rebekah and Douglas Watson; and the light of her life, grandsons, David Lippman, Matt and Alex Watson; brother and sister in law, Jeffrey and Diane Zlotnick; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends in Rochester and at Shannondell.
Her sense of humor, kindness, and genuine ability to have fun with anyone at any time will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held Monday, March 22, 2021, at 10 AM. To keep everyone safe, services are private. Funeral services will be streamed by clicking THIS LINK just before 10 AM on Monday.
ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND OUR FAMILY I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR COMING TODAY. SUSAN LIPPMAN WAS A WIFE, MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AND FRIEND. SOME OF YOU KNEW MY MOTHER FOR JUST A SHORT TIME, OTHERS FOR YEARS. MY SISTER AND I … WELL WE WERE FORTUNATE TO KNOW HER OUR WHOLE LIFE. THERE ARE SO MANY STORIES AND THINGS I COULD SHARE WITH YOU ABOUT MY MOTHER AND WE WOULD BE HERE ALL DAY. STORIES ABOUT HER TRAVELS WITH HER BROTHER AND SISTER-IN-LAW TO ISRAEL, ITALY, AND ALASKA. HER TRIPS TO THE CASINO AND PLAYING “WOLF RUN” TO THE WEE HOURS IN THE MORNING. FAMILY TRIPS TO CHICAGO FOR THANKSGIVING. FAMILY VACATIONS WHILE SHE WAS THE NAVIGATOR FOR MY FATHER USING THE AAA TRIP-TICKS. MOMS ANSWER TO HOW FAR DO WE HAVE TO GO WOULD ALWAYS BE 1 OR 2 PAGES. THERE WAS EVEN A VISIT TO COSTCO IN ARIZONA THAT WAS QUITE FUNNY AND ENTERTAINING AT THE SAME TIME (I AM NOT GOING TO MENTION ANY NAMES TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT). I AM SURE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MANY MORE WITH HER NEW FRIENDS AND HOME AT SHANNONDELL. THE LIST OF STORIES AND MEMORIES GO ON FOREVER.
HOWEVER, I THOUGHT I MIGHT SHARE A FEW TODAY ALONG WITH A FEW LIFE LESSONS.
I THINK I WILL START WITH SOMETHING SHE AND MY FATHER ALWAYS SAID TO EACH OTHER BUT I NEVER NOTICED IT TIL LATER IN LIFE. YOU WOULD OFTEN HEAR THEM SAY THE PHRASE “WHOLE BUNCHES”. ONE DAY I FINALLY NOTICED IT AND ASKED MOM ABOUT IT. IT WAS SOMETHING FROM WHEN MOM AND DAD WERE DATING. WHEN THEY WOULD CALL EACH OTHER ON THE PHONE, THE MOST EMBARASSING THING YOU COULD SAY WITH FRIENDS AROUND WAS “I LOVE YOU”. HOWEVER, THE REAL PHRASE IS “I LOVE YOU A WHOLE BUNCH”. WELL, THEY JUST ABBREVIATED IT AND HENCE THE PHRASE “WHOLE BUNCHES’.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW MOM LOVED THE KITCHEN. SHE WAS ALWAYS DOING SOMETHING IN THAT ROOM. THAT WAS HER SANCTUARY. SHE HAD EVERY GADGET YOU COULD THINK OF AND IF YOU WERE EVER SO LUCKY YOU GOT TO SAMPLE WHAT SHE HAD MADE. EVERYTHING FROM HER FAMOUS ASP’S (AUNT SUZIE’S PICKLES), MUNDLE BREAD COOKIES, TO CAKES AND CANDIES. THE LOVE OF COOKING AND THE KITCHEN IS SOMETHING I DEFINITELY INHERITED FROM HER.
FINALLY, THERE WAS THE STORY OF ONE OF OUR FAMILY TRIPS WITH THE SILVERSTEIN TO CANADA. I DON’T REMEMBER WHERE EXACTLY WE WERE, HOWEVER, IT WAS DINNER TIME AND WE WERE GOING OUT. WE DECIDED TO TAKE ONLY 1 CAR FOR 8 PEOPLE. THAT CAR WAS A FORD ESCORT WAGON. WE
WERE JAMMED IN THERE LIKE SARDINES. WHEN WE GOT TO THE RESTAURANT PEOPLE WHO WERE WATCHING MUST HAVE THOUGHT WE WERE CIRCUS PEOPLE AS WE KEPT COMING OUT OF THE CLOWN CAR ONE AFTER ANOTHER AFTER ANOTHER.
NOW YOU MIGHT ASK ONESELF, WHAT DID I LEARN FROM MY MOTHER. WHAT COMES TO MY MIND IS THE JOYS OF COOKING, ITS OK TO SPEND MONEY ON YOURSELF AND MOST IMPORTANT THE LOVE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
I WILL MISS MY MOTHER AND I AM VERY PROUD THAT SHE IS MY MOTHER. THESE ARE ONLY A FEW OF THE MANY LESSONS AND ALONG WITH COUNTLESS STORIES THAT I WILL TAKE WITH ME AND SHARE WITH MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. MOM, MAY YOUR NEW JOURNEY BE A PEACEFUL ONE AND KNOW THAT I WILL
ALWAYS LOVE YOU.
IN JEWISH TRADITION THERE IS A FAMILY BLESSING AND I THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR TODAY:
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU. MAY GOD’S LIGHT SHINE UPON YOU AND MAY GOD BE GRACIOUS TO YOU. MAY YOU FEEL GODS’ PRESENCE WITHIN YOU
ALWAYS AND MAY YOU FIND PEACE.
THIS POEM HAS BEEN A FAMILY FAVORITE AS FAR BACK AS MY SISTER AND I CAN REMEMBER. IT IS CALLED THE DASH BY LINDA ELLIS –
I READ OF A MAN WHO STOOD TO SPEAK AT THE FUNERAL OF A FRIEND. HE REFERRED TO THE DATES ON THE TOMBSTONE FROM THE BEGINNING… TO THE END.
HE NOTED THAT FIRST CAME THE DATE OF BIRTH AND SPOKE OF THE FOLLOWING DATE WITH TEARS, BUT HE SAID WHAT MATTERED MOST OF ALL WAS THE DASH BETWEEN THOSE YEARS.
FOR THAT DASH REPRESENTS ALL THE TIME THEY SPENT ALIVE ON EARTH AND NOW ONLY THOSE WHO LOVED THEM KNOW WHAT THAT LITTLE LINE IS WORTH.
FOR IT MATTERS NOT, HOW MUCH WE OWN, THE CARS… THE HOUSE… THE CASH. WHAT MATTERS IS HOW WE LIVE AND LOVE AND HOW WE SPEND OUR DASH.
SO THINK ABOUT THIS LONG AND HARD; ARE THERE THINGS YOU’D LIKE TO CHANGE? FOR YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH TIME IS LEFT THAT STILL CAN BE REARRANGED.
TO BE LESS QUICK TO ANGER AND SHOW APPRECIATION MORE AND LOVE THE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES LIKE WE’VE NEVER LOVED BEFORE.
IF WE TREAT EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT AND MORE OFTEN WEAR A SMILE… REMEMBERING THAT THIS SPECIAL DASH MIGHT ONLY LAST A LITTLE WHILE.
SO WHEN YOUR EULOGY IS BEING READ, WITH YOUR LIFE’S ACTIONS TO REHASH, WOULD YOU BE PROUD OF THE THINGS THEY SAY ABOUT HOW YOU LIVED YOUR DASH?
Daughter, Rebekah’s Eulogy:
Say not in grief “she is no more” but in thankfulness that “she was”.
Although I stand here today, with my heart broken into pieces, there is so much about my mother and her life that I am grateful for.
Although it is difficult to summarize and speak to an entire life, I would like to share some things and what makes my mom so special to me.
My mother’s entire life was dedicated to taking care of people, always looking out for, and doing for others –her siblings, her parents, my father and her children. It was not a chore for her to take care of others, but a gift that came naturally, which we all benefited from.
My mom was a devoted wife. The love and admiration for my father was endless. My parents had so much fun together. They were silly, always laughing, gut laughing, the kind of laughing that makes your stomach hurt and tears stream from your eyes. They were kind and caring
to each other, and most importantly, respected each other. They set a wonderful example for a healthy relationship and were so fortunate to be true companions. The vision that I have of their reunion in Heaven, as my mother transitioned from her journey on earth, is that of solace.
My mom was a devoted mother to Jeremy and me. My mother was consistently supportive, kind, caring, compassionate and patient. Yes, that last one applies to just me, not Jeremy. There were a few years that I gave my mom a run for her money. I did not listen, I tested, I pushed every limit. She stood by me, she had confidence in me. I am so grateful for this and that she never gave up on me. I do have the proud claim to fame of all the gray hair she had was from me – okay, maybe one or two strands from Jeremy. I am grateful to have learned from her and I often find myself saying or doing something she would do- which always makes me smile.
My mom wore an “apple” charm on her necklace which I gave her years ago – I told her I was giving her an apple
because “The apple does not fall far from the tree” and it is an honor for me to say that I am her apple.
In addition to those around us, my mom was devoted to Judaism and our Synagogue in Rochester. She was involved in many events and committees at Temple Beth Am, but most remembered for the meals she made.
She loved to cook and bake, and we loved to eat the goodies she made. The work mom did for Temple Beth Am was a labor of love. She was committed to seeing the Temple succeed.
My mom was a devoted grandmother, AMA as the kids fondly call her– she loves her 3 boys, Matt, Alex and David. We are so lucky to have wonderful memories with her – she was always willing to go along for “the ride”, she joined us for meals, movies, musicals, school of rock shows– she did not want to miss anything! Sometimes she did not even know where we were going. I would say “I think we should take a trip…” and not even get
the destination out – and she was already saying sure, yep, let’s go. My favorite memory is when she and I took Matt and Alex on a surprise trip to the Football and Rock and Roll Hall of fame. She was all in – she loved the time in the museums, but mostly to watch the excitement in Matt and Alex’s eyes.
From spending time in Rochester- Brown’s berry patch, the clubhouse, Henrietta Hots, Abbott’s, the Lake, to trips, the Miami Zoo, the CNE, to the boys first trip to NYC, where we had an amazing lunch at Ellen’s stardust diner and were lucky enough to see Hamilton– they (and I) have memories that are so special and will be with us always. We will continue to tell stories about her and to keep her memories alive, and although David is so young, we will make sure he knows what an amazing person she is and how much she loves him!
Something that always impressed me about my mother’s life was her acceptance of every person she met- she did not judge. She was always cheerful and optimistic and she had a way of making each person she met feel special. Talking to my best friend Jim this week – he
shared a story that I had not heard, of my mom, at his own mother’s funeral, when he needed support. He said my mom’s hug “swallowed him up” she exuded love always to those around her. She leaves behind dear friends in Rochester and at Shannondell. In her short time at Shannondell, she has created roots, deep roots, a Mishpachah, and I know will be missed by many. Just the other day as I was walking to the mailroom a resident I did not recognize stopped me. He asked how mom was and then proceeded to tell me how kind and fun she was and that she was always smiling and cheerful. I thanked him for his kind words and felt like a proud parent. Funny how things flip – I am so proud of my mother for taking the leap to move out of Rochester, the only place she had ever lived, and start fresh in Pennsylvania, by me. This was a risk for her and we are so grateful she took it – it allowed us to spend a great amount of time with her that we would not have had otherwise. When I would walk through the halls at Shannondell with her, people would always say hi “Suzie, hi Suzie so good to see you, Suzie – how are you” It was always with a smile. I was told that the trip back from
the dining hall with friends was always longer when my mom was there because she would be stopped by and talk to so many people.
I am grateful for her friends in both Rochester and Pennsylvania. Thank you for being part of her life and contributing to her happiness. My mom lived a very joyful life, with a lot of laughter and good times.
Even as her health deteriorated, she still found laughs. We are so grateful to the wonderful women who helped care for her in her last days and created an environment of compassion and dignity, and most importantly, laughter.
One of my favorite passages, from the Book of Ecclesiastes, teaches us that none of us will live forever, but that the only appropriate response to our mortality is to enjoy our food in gladness, and to drink our wine with joy; for all of us should know that the all-knowing God approved our actions long ago. The text tells us that we should enjoy happiness with those whom we love during all of the days of our lives. For that alone, the text tells
us, is what we can get out of life. The passage concludes by advising us, “What it is in your power to do, do with all your might.” Let us take comfort knowing that my mother did everything in her power, and she did it with all of her might.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart, for being here today and for being a part of my mother’s life.
I would like to conclude with one of my favorite quotes. It is from the very famous, well-spoken, and insightful – Winnie the Pooh –
“How lucky I am to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard”
As you mourn the loss of our beloved mother, we ask that you honor her love of laugher. Remember to meet life with enthusiasm and make your DASH count.
