Susane Josephson "Suzy" Finesilver

May 9, 1916 - February 1, 2015
Susane "Suzy" Josephson Finesilver passed away February 1, 2015. She was born in San Antonio, Texas May 9, 1916 and lived here for her entire life. She would have celebrated her 99th birthday this year. She adored her family, enjoyed many friends and was an inspiration to all of them. Her sparkling eyes, bright smile and love for life will be greatly missed.

Suzy was preceded in death by her beloved husband Hertzel Finesilver and by her parents, Sarah and Frederick Josephson. She is survived by her daughter, Lynn Finesilver Crystal; her three grandsons, James Finesilver Crystal and his wife, Denise, Sanford Finesilver Crystal and his wife, Jennifer, and Jonathan H. Finesilver Crystal and his wife, Darcie. She also is survived by her eight great grandchildren, Genevieve, Abigail and William; Alexander and Samantha; Eli, Hannah and Abram; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her three older brothers John Josephson, Marcel Josephson and Henry Josephson.

She was a longtime supporter of the arts, nationally, as well as Texas and San Antonio. She served on the National Advisory Board of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC and was one of the museum's founders more than 25 years ago. She also was a founding board member and former vice president of the museum's Texas Committee. She was a board member of the Southwest School of Art and Craft, now known as the Southwest School of Art. She was a member of the School of Visual Arts Board at the University of North Texas in Denton. She also served on the boards of the Mid-America Arts Alliance and Texas Arts Alliance. Suzy was a National Patron for Americans for the Arts and a former board member of the American Council for the Arts. She was a member of the Prince of Wales Foundation for many years. She also was a patron of the United World Colleges.

Suzy was the 1997 recipient of the Girl Scout Trefoil Award. She was a board member of the Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health. At the McNay Art Museum, she served as Patron Council founding chairman, president of the Gallery Support Group, and board member of the Friends of the McNay Art Museum. She also was very involved with the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Witte Museum and the San Antonio Symphony League. She was a member of the Metropolitan Opera National Council, Cancer Therapy and Research Center Cabinet, American Association of University Women and the American Museum in Britain. She served on the San Antonio Performing Arts Association board and was founding chairman of the Associates of the San Antonio Performing Arts Association. When Beverly Sills formed the National Opera Institute, Suzy was invited by her to become a Fellow. She was a member of the Metropolitan Opera National Council and was a founding member of the San Antonio Opera Guild Board. She also was involved with the Southwest Foundation Forum. She was president of the Joffrey Ballet Committee of San Antonio. When the Girl Scouts of America chose the National Museum of Women in the Arts as their art project, the museum asked its Texas Committee to start the program and Suzy was designated chairman. This program became the model format used throughout the United States.

She has been a member of Temple Beth-El for more than 70 years and was a member of the Temple Beth-El Sisterhood and the National Council of Jewish Women. She is a Life member of the Santa Rosa Children's Hospital Auxiliary and was board chairman of the Christmas Clearing Bureau. During World War II, she was a Grey Lady for the Red Cross and U.S.O. Travelers Aid. She was honored as an Outstanding Volunteer at the First Annual Salute to Outstanding Volunteers by San Antonio Homes and Gardens Magazine 1985-86. Suzy had a musical education and played piano, clarinet and saxophone. She was a 1934 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and attended the University of Texas at Austin where she studied education. She enjoyed travel and took many trips all over the world.

Services will be held Wednesday February 4th at 1:00 p.m. at Temple Beth-El, 211 Belknap Place. Immediately following the service interment will be in Temple Beth-El Cemetery at Palmetto. If one would like to make a donation in her memory, any of the organizations with which she was involved would be appreciated or a charity of choice. Arrangements with: