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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
 Posted - 11/24/2011 : 8:42:01 PM
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Those of us who play Hawaiian music here in the Pacific Northwest were deeply stunned and saddened to learn of the passing this week of one of our dear musical companions, Susy. She was undergoing treatment for cancer, but chose not to tell most of us about her battle.
She was a marvelous person, a musician to the depths of her soul, and one of those rare beings whose kindness seems to flow from an endless well.
As Momi said in another social-media platform, in this week of Thanksgiving: "I am thankful for SM who taught me you don't need to be born or raised in Hawai`i, or have Hawaiian lineage, to show and share aloha."
She posted to Taropatch only once, on 5/26/2008, to answer a question about the guitar she often played:
quote:
The guitar's name is Kai; the decoration is woodburned roses, vines and a sword; roses and sword are guilded. I bought him in a flea market store on the Oregon coast. He must have been done by a fisherman as he had a lot of sand in him(still has some) and smelled so badly of fish that my cat kept trying to climb into the sound hole! Kai is warped but loves slack key. (I guess that applies to me too.).
Susy
(Rondaleer)
Here is the photo that triggered the question about her guitar (Susy is on the left; her musical partner is our own wonderful neeej):
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Momi
Lokahi
402 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2011 : 9:06:04 PM
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I believe this was the last picture I took of Susy. She was backstage at LiveAloha, waiting to help transport the members of Hi`ikua. She started dancing to one of the songs that SUPA was playing (I can't remember which).
Goodbye, dear Susy. We will miss you greatly. |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2011 : 9:51:25 PM
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Oh my God, I had to cry a few minutes before I could even respond to this news.
Susy was a wonderful, wonderful, person. So full of aloha. Just a gentle soul moving in our midst.
How fortunate I am to have known her. I will always remember watching Susy and Jean sitting on of the couches at Aloha Music Camp, Keahou Beach Resort, doing their thing, so much at peace with their world and their friendship and their lives, that I marveled at the gift of aloha that they held in their hands and their hearts.
Oh please, if anyone has more news of Susy, or any services that may be in the planning stages, please share that with us. |
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Trev
Lokahi
United Kingdom
265 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2011 : 12:20:56 AM
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I’m hugely saddened to hear about this. I knew Susy from the Aloha camps that I’ve been to – the last time I saw her was February this year. I sat on those selfsame couches while Susy sang us a cheeky song. Typically she’d sit working on some knitting, or crochet, or similar. Always making something; always creating. As we sat round having a song or a tune, Susy would often put down what she was working on and spontaneously and unselfconsciously start dancing. At one point she showed me some belly dancing, which was one more thing that she did!
It’s hard to believe that someone so full of life and spirit and energy can so suddenly be gone.
I believe life is fragile and easily lost, and that it’s therefore important to make the most of life while you’re here. Susy was someone who certainly did that.
Sincere condolences to all who were close to her from Trev and Alison.
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Cynthia
Aloha
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2011 : 06:47:52 AM
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| This is such sad news, I hardly know what to say except that I'm happy that I had a chance to know Susy and to see her earlier this year. I will never think of Aloha camp without thinking of her. |
Cynthia in NoVa |
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2011 : 07:07:31 AM
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| My condolences to Susy's family, friends and extended ʻohana (Pacific Northwest Hawaiian music scene, AMC and Taropatch.net.) |
Andy |
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Tommy
Akahai
USA
72 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2011 : 07:15:38 AM
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| Such sad news, but as the sun streams through my window onto my desk I canʻt help but smile thinking of Susy and how she and Jean were always "up to something" that would crack the camp up. Jean-I am so sorry for your loss. Aloha. |
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neeej
`Olu`olu
USA
643 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2011 : 08:35:01 AM
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| Awww - you guys make me maka wai. I'm going to copy these posts to a document I'm creating for her husband & family. Mahalo all. |
--Jean S |
Edited by - neeej on 11/25/2011 08:35:43 AM |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2011 : 09:08:30 AM
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| I will miss Susy. It seems that so many of my friends are passing. She truly "had heart" [pointing to my heart]. |
keaka |
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PuaLynn
Lokahi
USA
120 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2011 : 09:44:21 AM
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| I was very saddened to read of Susy's passing. I was so lucky to be touched by her wit and aloha at my five+ years of AMC. My heart goes out to her family, to her special friend, Jean, and all of us who will miss her very much. |
Me ke aloha,
Lynn |
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Rich_Smith
Lokahi
USA
242 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2011 : 10:20:28 AM
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See the Joy! Susy loved to dance. I will miss her!
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Rich Smith |
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2011 : 5:53:25 PM
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She was a wonderful lady and musical friend.
Jesse |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2165 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2011 : 6:49:33 PM
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| Susy always had a kind way and ready laughter. We will all miss her sorely. |
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TerryLiberty
Lokahi
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2011 : 04:36:08 AM
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Jean:
My wife, Bonnie and I were very saddened to hear of Susy's passing. We only met her once at Cyril's recent visit but we were both delighted with her outgoing and enthusiastic nature. It must be an awful loss for those who were close to her.
Terry
Olympia, WA |
Terry
Olympia, WA
Forever a haumana |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2011 : 11:02:58 AM
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It's maddening how many of my firends and acquaintances have passed in the last month: Steve Parker, a great friend and wonderful old time musician and compoeser of rags (I even hired him to work for me at Hughes aircraft in 1977), Jack Link, a co-conspirator in life anda hell of a fiddler - old time and sountry, Bob Grossman, a roommate at PSGW Winter Retreats, and now Susie. [sigh!]  |
keaka |
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Aloha `oe to a dear friend
