Susan’s Memorial Service

I would like Randy Best to be the officiant at my memorial service and Jim White to have a major role – maybe delivering a eulogy, but as he knows, not just with the good stuff about me, but a true picture. There are other Leader friends and colleagues I’d like to have participate in the memorial and Randy has the specifics about that. Lots of music is required at my memorial service. The Noah Teshu trio – or whatever he’s doing musically then would be appropriate if Noah would like.

I’d like my kids to have as much a role in planning/participating as they would like and I think Randy could work with them well to coordinate that. I could see having a memorial service for me at the Brooklyn or New York Societies, but there could also be an ESWoW type location. It needs to be good for Noah and Corina and Randy too. If I was coming it would be nice to have it near water where folks could go swimming after and sit around and sing, but I won’t be there, so do what works best for the people most involved.

I’d like special notice to go to folks at the Essex Society – if possible – folks who actually knew me and people I’ve worked with throughout the Ethical Movement.

I’d like there to be lots of music – I really like Chopin’s piece and think it is a good prelude. Some of the songs I’d like if possible are Phil Ochs “When I’m Gone,” “Imagine” and “Gracias a la Vida.” They are all in Rise Up Singing. I've been listening to various recordings of Vince Guaraldi's "Cast Your Fate to the Wind." I'd love to have that played - either live on a piano, or a recording.

No carnations please. Yellow daisies are good – roses aren’t really necessary – doesn’t really matter to me except for the no carnations.

I definitely would like people to be invited to speak about me – with a clear invitation that they are welcome to share the not so easy times they’ve had with me as well as all the wonderful, constructive, creative, fun times also.

And I really like the Algernon Black piece – you can mention that he was very important to me in my early 20s.

It feels really good to know I can send this off to you, Randy, and know that my memorial service will be in excellent hands.

I’ll get together a contact list at some point and make sure you and my kids have it.