Susan Posen, a longtime resident of Great Neck, passed away on Dec. 23 at age 96. She is survived by her husband Warner, to whom she was married for nearly 75 years, and her sons Dennis and Michael, who were raised in Great Neck. Her oldest son, Rick, died in 2007. Other survivors include her beloved daughters-in-law, Sharri, Ilise and Stacey, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends far and wide.
She was born Susan Liesel de Winter in Amsterdam in 1923, and fled Nazi persecution in Europe with her brothers in 1940. She arrived in New York to be reunited with their mother, who had fled earlier and was widowed shortly after arrival. In 1945, she married Warner, and they built a family closely bound by their devotion. Susan was a treasured matriarch, and her warmth and dedication to each member of her family shone through. She was committed to keeping in touch with a large network of friends and relatives, including many overseas, and stayed up to date in the details of each person’s life.
Susan was a dedicated volunteer in her Great Neck community, acting as a den mother for the Cub Scouts, an executive officer for the PTA in the Great Neck schools, an active volunteer for the Great Neck Community Fund, and later, was a co-founder of Reach Out America, where she served as Treasurer for 13 years. A staunch supporter of progressive social causes, Susan was always willing to march for what she believed in, and launched a gun control campaign focused on school safety nearly three decades ago.
A talented artist and designer, Posen discovered at midlife a passion for sculpture, and created dozens of pieces in marble, alabaster and other materials. Her sculpture was exhibited in the Great Neck area, and in 2018 she published a volume about her work. She was a phenomenal cook and a party planner par excellence, and will be remembered for her great hospitality and kindness.
Donations in Susan’s memory may be made to the Richard L. Posen Scholarship Fund at NYU School of Law.
—Submitted by Sharri Posen
