Suzanne Hassid
July 25, 1927 - January 12, 2019
Suzanne Hassid was born in Egypt where she met and married the love of her life, Dr. Eli Hassid in 1946. They fled to Paris as refugees in 1957 along with their first two sons, Edwin and Andre. The family was soon joined by other relatives. All told they were 11 people living in the two rooms. Suzanne bought groceries and cooked for all every day with a kitchen with no refrigerator. Her optimistic spirit helped the family through these very trying times.
The family gained admission to the United States in December 1957. Suzanne and Eli relocated to California and had a third son, Steve. Dr. Eli Hassid was a revered physician associated with Mt. Zion hospital. Together they created an incredibly loving home in San Francisco where they raised the three boys, sending all three to Lowell High School.
Suzanne was proud that she had earned a Bacheau degree in Egypt at a time when many women were discouraged from even seeking an education or offering opinions. She was a master of French History and especially Napoleonic history. She also had a deep knowledge of French, Russian and American literature.
Suzanne was known as a superb classical pianist, and often played classical pieces by Chopin and Beethoven. Her version of Chopin's Polonaise had more heart and feeling than those played by some of the world's best pianists. She was also a superb cook and mastered French, Italian and Middle Eastern dishes.
Suzanne spent her last 23 years living in San Mateo, enjoying the company of many longtime friends but also making countless new friends, often friends of her children who were drawn to her extremely kind, warm and generous nature, her fascinating personal history and her famous chocolate cake. Her family remained the center of her life and nothing gave her more pleasure than gathering all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and spoiling them all with delicious food and happy memories.
Suzanne loved the many cruises and other travels she took with her husband Eli during their 54 years of gloriously happy marriage, as well as the many vacations she took to Hawaii with her son Andre and daughter in law Anna. She loved to shop, especially with her daughters in law.
Always smiling, always positive no matter what hardships life threw at her, she lived a full life bringing joy to all around her to the very end.
Suzanne is survived by her brother Henri in France, her loving sons and daughters in law Dr. Edwin Hassid and Barbara (San Francisco), Andre Hassid and Anna (Hawaii) and Dr. Steve Hassid and Dr. Grace Hassid (Hillsborough). She is also survived by her adoring grandchildren, Michael (wife Maria), Daniel, Victoria, Annie, Joey and Danielle, as well as great grand-children Eli and Hannah.
Friends and family are invited to attend funeral services at the chapel of Home of Peace Cemetery, 1299 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014 on Wednesday January 16 at one o'clock p.m. Interment will immediately follow at Salem Cemetery in Colma.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Suzanne and Eli's name can be made to HIAS the organization that helped them settle in the United States after they fled Egypt as refugees or to the charity of your choice.