Suzanne Heller Curtis

Profile Updated: August 20, 2023
Residing In: WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI USA
Occupation: retired
Children: Lisa Kaplan - 1962, married to Larry (Farmington Hills, MI)
Robin Stratton - 1964, married to Steve More…(Louisville, KY)
Jody Benishay - 1966, married to Ron (Glenview, IL)
Tracey Grossbach - 1968, married to Mitch (Oakland, CA)
Cell Phone:

(248) 302-6768

Elementary School:

Schulze

Education after graduating from Mumford:

BS in music education from Wayne after a freshman year at MSU

Work History:

I taught music in Oak Park and Detroit schools. Worked for Met Life as a Senior Litigation and Appeals Analyst for Sickness & Accident Benefits on the GM Account and then sold Life and Health Insurance and Annuities for them. I was the office manager for both The Depository and Ladies Day Golf. Was on Sen. Carl Levin's staff for two years doing events and fund-raising in his 1996 campaign. Became Executive Director of American ORT in 1996 and Business Manager of the ORT Resource Center at the JCC in 2005. Retired in 2010. Occasionally tutor beginners in computer usage.

Hobbies:

Golf, theater, and movies. I've chaired a 45 member film club called The Movie Group (with lots of our Mumford '57 people involved) for almost 30 years, reading, opera, and ballet. Love to play canasta and Rummikub, but my great passion is traveling to exotic lands.

What would we be surprised to know about you?

When I've taken a couple of Extra Strength Excedrin I still feel like I'm 60, not 83.

Grandchildren:

Ben Kaplan (engaged to Amber Baldwin), Rachel Kaplan (married to Vadim Avshalumov), Samantha & Max Stratton (engaged to Megan McDermott), Carmelle (engaged to Matt Fallon), Elana, and Jonathan Benishay, Ethan & Sadie Grossbach

Rachel & Vadim have a daughter Sonia and a son Jacob - my beloved great grandchildren, and are expecting a 3rd child next February.

Comments:

I began giving piano lessons while a student at Mumford and continued through college at MSU and WSU. I earned a BS in Music Education and taught vocal music in Detroit and Oak Park public schools. While raising my four daughters I joined Hadassah, and became president of the Greater Detroit Chapter in 1973.
When I became single again in 1984 I went to work in the insurance industry, working for Met Life on the General Motors account and later selling annuities to teachers. Since then my checkered career has included being a manager for a few small businesses - including a women’s golf store - and a professional fund-raiser for Senator Carl Levin and for American ORT, where I was the regional director for many years. At 65 I became the business manager of the Hermelin ORT Resource Center in the West Bloomfield JCC. I retired in 2010.
My greatest pleasure, besides family, was traveling with my late husband Gene all over the world, and I’ve enjoyed visiting countries on every continent. I also love to play golf, attend the opera, theater, and ballet. I run a Movie Group of 45 people (many of whom are Mumford fellow graduates) that meets once a month to discuss films.

I had 23 wonderful years with my late husband Gene Curtis (we were fixed up by his sister, classmate Doreen Curtis Hermelin). We took yearly adventure trips to exotic places.

I now enjoy spending 3 months in Naples Florida each winter, and if you're down there January thru March, please look me up.

School Story:

I loved being active in Fanny Brice BBG. I fondly remember getting kosher pickles out of the barrel at Fredson's deli and eating them while waiting for the Curtis bus to go home from school. Singing in the Mumford talent show with the Suedebs - a trio.

Suzanne's Latest Interactions

Jan
07
Jan 07, 2024 at 4:33 AM
Aug
20
Aug 20, 2023 at 9:49 PM
Jan 07, 2023 at 4:33 AM
Aug 23, 2022 at 11:23 AM

Shaarey Zedek Synagogue had a Mumford reunion on August 13, 2022. Mel Chinitz gave a d'var Mumford:
https://youtu.be/_lRWIhoo1a0

Jan 07, 2022 at 4:33 AM
Jan 07, 2021 at 4:33 AM
Jan 07, 2020 at 4:35 AM
Jan 07, 2019 at 4:33 AM
Jan 07, 2018 at 4:33 AM
Aug 09, 2017 at 8:33 PM

I will miss Charlotte's wonderfully upbeat personality, in spite of her difficult battle with illness these last few years.  We were close friends in high school and beyond, and I was a bridesmaid at her wedding.  She lived in Atlanta with her late husband Bernie, and when my daughter Lisa moved there after graduating from U of M, Charlotte became her surrogate Mom.  So glad I got to visit her in Florida this last winter and spoke to her just two weeks ago.  Rest in peace my dear friend.

Suzy Heller Curtis

 

Jan 07, 2017 at 4:33 AM
Suzanne Heller Curtis added a photo to her profile gallery.
Aug 22, 2016 at 11:03 AM
Jan 07, 2016 at 4:33 AM
Suzanne Heller Curtis added a photo to her profile gallery.
Mar 01, 2015 at 12:08 PM
Me with 4 daughters, 4 sons-in-law, 9 grandkids, 1 sister, and 1 ex-husband (November 2011)
Jan 07, 2015 at 4:33 AM
Posted: Mar 01, 2015 at 12:08 PM
Me with 4 daughters, 4 sons-in-law, 9 grandkids, 1 sister, and 1 ex-husband (November 2011)
Posted: Aug 22, 2016 at 11:03 AM