Sue Weinberger Seriff

Sue "Sookie" Weinberger Seriff Sue, "Sookie" Weinberger Seriff, 83, of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2013, with her husband and children at her side. Sookie was born in St. Louis, Missouri and spent most of her life in New Orleans and Austin, Texas. She was a loving, passionate and proud woman; proud to be a wife and mother, proud to be Jewish, and proud to be a Texan. Sookie knew the power and love of a strong Jewish community and worked her entire life to share this philosophy with others. Sookie remains revered for her lasting impact on the Jewish community, reshaping it and expanding public identities for Jewish women. She was a lifetime member of Hadassah and of the National Council of Jewish Women, where she was recently honored for her work. She was a devoted member of Congregation Agudas Achim for 27 years, establishing the Weinberger Cantorial Fund and helping build the community. An interior designer, she had a special way of using art, heart and a profound intelligence to revitalize everything and everyone around her, writing and producing, for example, a musical to raise money for the construction of the New Agudas Achim. She also worked with Jewish war veterans and decorated the veteran's clinic in Austin. An incredibly intelligent woman, Sookie always had two books at her bedside and was always excited to learn something new and to share her learning with those around her. This was evidenced by her endless devotion to continuing education at the University of Texas. She wanted everyone to get involved in the community she believed in, volunteering to register voters and supporting local elections. In New Orleans, she was a noted interior designer and a passionate member of and volunteer for the New Orleans Museum of Art, the New Orleans Philharmonic, and Congregation Chevrathilim. She also started the design studios of Hurwitz-Mintz Furniture and JC Penny department stores. Sookie was a pillar of love and strength for her family and community. It is up to each of us who knew her to keep her spirit in our hearts and her memory alive in our actions. Sookie is preceded in death by her late husband Joe Weinberger. She is survived by her husband Jack Seriff and by her children, Alan Weinberger, Sandi Hauser and husband Dr. Larry Hauser, Teri Riddles and husband Arthur Riddles, grand daughters Shawn Hauser, Robyn Fadem and husband Joey Fadem, and great granddaughter Dakota Rose Fadem. She is also survived by her stepchildren Mark Seriff and wife Carolyn Seriff, Leslie Slatko and husband Malcolm Slatko, and step-grandchildren Dan Seriff, Jason Seriff and wife Elizabeth Seriff, Lauren Slatko and Chaim Slatko, and great granddaughter Maya Seriff. She is also survived by her sister Roberta Hayman, niece Cheryl Perl and the late Steve Perl, nephew Harlan Floom and wife Barbara Floom, nieces Jodi Perl, Jennifer Linder and husband Billy Linder, and great grand nephews Gavin and Carson Linder. She is also survived by her brother in law Sol Weinberger and wife Blanche Weinberger, niece Lisa Compton and husband Brad Compton, and great-niece Taylor Compton. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 14th at Congregation Agudas Achim, 7300 Hart Lane in the Dell Center. Burial service to follow at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Drive. Pallbearers: Alan Weinberger, Larry Hauser, Arthur Riddles, Malcolm Slatko, Mark Seriff, and Joey Fadem. Honorary Pallbearers Sol Weinberger, Reuben Kogut, Milton Simon, Ellis Titche. The family would like to acknowledge Dr. Jerry Vandel, Dr. Sharon Moore, Dr. Kenneth Perret, Dr. Mike Kasper, Dr. Paul Roach, Dr. Mike Shapiro, and Dr. Robert Fuller. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Weinberger Cantorial Fund at Congregation Agudas Achim. Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.