Susan Ruth Korsower

Susan Ruth Korsower, 81, passed away peacefully on May 2nd in her home in Potomac, Maryland with her family at her side. Born in New York City on August 15, 1941 to Natalie (nee Daniel) and Bertram Epstein, Sue grew up surrounded by a large, loving family. The constant stream of visitors to their home prompted a decision to make them the basis of project in elementary school. Drawing the family tree on a long roll of brown paper marked Sue’s beginnings as the lifelong keeper of the family genealogy. Over the years she astutely asked select older relatives to review and correct her ever-expanding work, ensuring the most accurate picture of many generations.

As a result, this mitzvah lives on: Sue’s gift to her loved ones. Sue was predeceased by her husband, the late Jack Korsower M.D., the eternal love of her life, and her eldest brother Stefan. She is survived by her husband Ira Priesman; brother Paul Epstein and sister-in-law Roslyn Banish; sister-in-law Arlene (Zullow) Epstein; her children Rachel Zand, Cricket Brooks (Jennifer Brooks), Dove Burghardt (Kevin Burghardt), Josh Korsower (Nandi Korsower) and Roya Shamouil; grandchildren Kovi, Chava, Jake, Tyler, Eric, Ryan, Jonathan, and Michael; step-children Phil Priesman (Karen Priesman) and AJ Chase (Zach Chase), and step-grandchildren Jordie and Eli Priesman, and Hailee and Bryce Chase. Sue also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and their children.

Sue graduated from City College of New York where her father Bertram was a professor of Mathematics in the School of Education, which still bestows a scholarship annually in his name for excellence in research. While in school she met Jack Korsower, a pre-med student. Joining classmates at a dinner at the famed Stage Deli in midtown, coincidentally started by her grandparents, she and Jack sat opposite each other at a long table and only had eyes for each other. They married in June of 1963 at the Stephen Wise Synagogue on the Upper West Side and were together until Jack’s untimely death in 1996.

Following in her father’s footsteps, Sue began teaching and earned a masters degree in Special Education from Hunter College in 1967 while Jack attended medical school and did his residency at the Albert Einstein Medical Center. Sue then became a fulltime mother to their children. Later Jack accepted a position in radiology at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and they moved to suburban

Maryland outside Washington, D.C. Amidst raising their growing family, at the suggestion of friends, Sue became involved in real estate.

It proved an ideal fit as she earned her Realtor license and embarked on a new career. For more than 40 years Sue worked for several prominent companies including Meryl Lynch and Long & Foster. She later earned both her CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) and GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) certifications, expertise that combined with tireless legwork and long hours to help countless families find the perfect home. Over the years she declined many offers to move into management, choosing to remain as an agent working one on one with her expanding clientele.

Sue was wonderfully artistic and she loved to decorate each room in a theme. She carefully chose a variety of antiques and personally crafted many of the artistic touches, such as lampshades, draperies, and pillows. She made amazing clothing for the kids, as well as making dolls (and their clothes) and stuffed animals. For enrichment (and to keep the walls of the house cleaner) she creatively painted an entire wall of the playroom in chalk paint, outlining it with wood trim for the kids to use while growing up. It was used joyfully for doodling, tic-tac-toe, math lessons and leaving jokes for one another.

Sue was known as a great cook and was especially known for her chocolate brownies with her “special ingredient” (a sprinkle of love), and her chocolate mousse.

Sue was also very thoughtful in always keeping everyone’s interests in mind. She regularly sent clippings of articles on topics relevant to recent discussions. The cards and gifts she sent were always themed to each individual’s personality, color preferences, and style choices.

Sue kvelled at the many achievements of her children and grandchildren, and always remembered everyone in her special way. Recently one of her grandchildren enrolled in medical school, continuing a family tradition that encompassed her late husband, eldest brother and his many offspring and their spouses. (At family gatherings there were invariably many doctors in the house.) Sue loved to dote on all of her grandchildren and she was known for picking the perfect gift for each.

Sue was generous and believed in helping others. She was humble about her philanthropy. We share the following in the spirit of spreading the spirit of philanthropy to others in her honor. A longtime member and supporter of Congregation B’nai Tzedek in Potomac, Sue volunteered for activities including providing temporary housing for immigrants as part of the temple’s community outreach. Every year the price of admission for each attendee at her holiday gatherings was one simple, practical present that was in turn donated to the residents of the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington.

For those wishing to make a donation in Sue’s memory, the charities that were near and dear to her heart are: Jewish Social Service Agency, Community Support Network of Madison Wisconsin, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the US Inc. , Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Association for Safe International Road Travel, and any charity supporting Ukrainian refugees.