"Please accept my sympathies on the death of Susan. I remember seeing her in the halls in high schools. Please be comforted by the words at Rev. 21:3,4. "
Susan J. Rotman age 52 of Iowa City Iowa and formerly of Maquoketa Iowa died Thursday September 162004.0 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City Iowa from injuries received in a vehicle-pedestrian accident on Sunday September 122004.0 in Iowa City.
A Public Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 P.M. on Monday September 202004.0 from the Carson & Son Funeral And Cremation Services in Maquoketa Iowa. A Private Family Graveside Service and Burial will be held with Rabbi Ilan Emanuel officiating.
Susan J. Rotman was born on January 26 1952 in Maquoketa Iowa to Carl Rotman and Rose (Rosenbaum) Rotman. She was a 1970 graduate of Maquoketa Community High School. She then attended the University of Missouri in Columbia and received a Bachelor of Arts degree and Masters in Arts degree in Psychology and Counseling.
Susan was interested in social justice causes and doing volunteer work. She was involved in politics and loved music and theatre. She was a member of the Agudas-Achim Congregation Synagogue in Iowa City Iowa. She had lived in Iowa City since 1990.
Susan is survived by: her father & step-mother- Carl & Linda Rotman of Maquoketa IA; a brother- Rob Rotman of Chicago IL; a step-sister- Anne (Mrs. Neal) Stocking of Omaha NE; 1 aunt- Lucy Herman of West Orange NJ; & several cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
"Please accept my sympathies on the death of Susan. I remember seeing her in the halls in high schools. Please be comforted by the words at Rev. 21:3,4. "
"Our sincere sympathy!"
"I want to express my sincere sympathy to Sue?s family and all those who knew and loved Sue. I?m sure she will be missed by many. I met Sue in May of this year (2004). Since that time I had an opportunity to visit with Sue just about every week. She was a great inspiration for me because of her passion for social causes and making this world a better place. Her strength sharp mind determination and courage helped motivate me. I?m very sad that she is gone. I wish I could have known her longer."
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"I didn't know Sue long but the time I spent with her was priceless. We bonded and set at the same table for a number of weeks in a effort to understand/discuss the corprate world. I am devastated I just read what happen in the news paper. Sue's love of life and justice impacted me. Please except my heart felt sympathy. Rodney Perdue"
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"MEMORIES OF SUSAN ROTMAN Susan was feisty sensitive compassionate would not tolerate being patronized was interested in people ? what happened to them how life treated them. She had a wonderful spirit a credit to those who raised and educated her. She valued education and under the most difficult circumstances completed a master?s degree. Susan was deeply religious in the purest sense of the word. She was Jewish with every fiber of her being. Her belief system was strong. She was deeply moved by the state of conditions in Israel the war the injustice. Among her heroes were those who were involved in bringing peace to Israel against the destruction of Palestinian homes against brother fighting brother for understanding and justice. Early on she was interested in the state of the world and of our nation. As a youngster she kept a scrapbook of John F. Kennedy. She was always a true patriot. Susan was attached to family and was very interested in family history especially as it intersected with campaigns for human rights and social justice in our nation. In particular she was inspired by her Great Aunt Sara?s strength of principle and morality as she participated in the movement to eliminate sweatshop conditions in the garment industry in the 30?s. Susan took risks struggled to gain mastery over her body to live on her own even to speak and to write. Life was no ?crystal stair? for Susan. She was adventurous and as a teenager in her wheelchair went on outings with friends even went camping. She would go zipping down the streets of Iowa City in her wheelchair greeting and being greeted by those who knew her. Susan was very much loved by her parents and returned that love although in many ways she was a rebel. . She felt deeply the need to be free to make her own decisions. She cherished freedom social justice the common bond of the whole human family. She valued the environment with hope for the future of all living things. Susan adored her little brother and confided in him valuing his understanding and wisdom. I will miss her greatly."
"Our sympathy to Uncle Carl Aunt Linda and all who knew Susan well. She will be missed."
"I enjoyed having an opportunity to help Sue over the past few months and get to know her. During my weekly visits we would spend hours talking as I would help her around the home. She would always make me laugh. Her stories were filled with drama and intrigue. I will miss her very much."
"Sue was a very nice and kind person and a pleasure to know. My sincere condolence to the entire family. May G-d of zion comfort the family amongst all other mourners of Israel."
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"I didn't know Sue well having just met her on a couple of occasions. But she left a strong impression. She was a woman with a rare force of spirit and character a soft spoken but fierce commitment to Zdakah (justice). She cared very deeply about the situation in the Middle East cared equally about the fate of both peoples in Israel-Palestine and was bold enough to speak truth to power. She will be missed greatly. May she go to her place in peace."
"I will really miss seeing Sue at peace events at the public library and on the streets of Iowa City. I didn't know her well but one day we talked about being the same age graduating the same year from high school and attending class reunions. She was so friendly and sociable.I'm so sorry that Sue won't be here to continue working to make the world a better place.My sincere sympathyJean Hagen"
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"Susan was my cousin. Being from the midwestern branch of the family we did not meet that often but we were often on eachother's minds. Why Susan would think of me I cannot say but why I would think of her was always and shall always be quite clear. Susan's energy depth of commitment sense of right and sincere love of others was inspirational. She always appeared to turn adversity and difficulties aside her own situation being of secondary importance to the situations of others. This type of deep commitment and selflessness should be a lesson for us all especially to today's rampant holier than thou conservatives who presume to always know what's right. Susan wished to leave the world better than she found it and despite the world's resistance she did just that. A life well lived is a gift to us all even if it was cut tragically short. Susan will forever remain in my thoughts and I suspect the thoughts of many others."
"I'm so sorry for your loss. I first met Sue in Iowa City at Campus Amoco. She seemed to always have a problem with her wheelchair she would come in we would fix it to the best of our knowledge on wheelchairs. Even when you told her her no charge she would insisit her parents did not raise her that way. She always talked about her family she loved people so much she will be deeply missed. I've gotten so used to seeing her in downtown it just won't be the same. I will miss Sue."
"The precious flower Susan could blossom on the foundation of the unconditional love of her family. The world is richer for it. Thank you Carl and Linda Rob and Rose.With lovebill"
"warmest wishes of peace and love."
"I have known Susan for as long as she has been in Iowa City through services at Adudas Achim Congregation events at the Hillel House and at other Jewish events from time to time. It was always interesting to talk with her because she had such compassion for humanity and took such keen interest in matters of social justice. I always marvelled at her unique combination of kindness and strength sweetness and toughness no doubt conditioned by the difficult circumstances of her physical situation. She was so courageous an example to us all. And despite the constraints she faced she would not be constrained by them; she insisted on being free. She handled her motorized chair with deftness and verve and the streets of Iowa City belonged to her. She drew strength from her love for her father whose own strength loving kindness and wisdom she spoke of often and clearly reflected. I know I speak for so many others in our congregation: Susan touched us deeply and we will grieve her loss. But we can take comfort now that she is beyond pain and in the glorious company of all the righteous departed souls of Israel. Her memory will be a blessing for us. May her family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Israel."
"Sue was one of those people that compelled you to listen in part because she had a lot to say and also because she commanded attention. I met Sue through a local activist group a couple of years ago. At the time she was railing about the Patriot Act the war and the lack of access at our local library; in fact she was always up in arms over one injustice or another that's who she was--a firebrand. It is sad to know that her flame has been extinguishedShe is an inspiration to me and hope for her family you are able to see how her life mattered to so many other people.May God grant her the peace she was unable to find in life."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you Carl Linda Rob and family on your loss. Susan had a way of keeping everyone lightened! She didn't let things get her down. She always brought a smiling voice and pleasant stories of the good old days at Rotman's whenever we talked on the phone. If I am not able to make it to the visitation be assured Susan yourself and your family are in my prayers."
"I never knew Susan but my father Bill has wonderful memories of her that he's been sharing with me since her passing. I'm very sad that she's gone and I've lost my chance to meet her. My condolences to the whole family."
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"While I did not know Susan personally (though I do think I met her) I too have lost loved ones Robbie and feel for you to the very depths of my soul. I have a lot of affection for you Robbie and think of you often. You and your family will be in my prayers."