Suzanne Frank

Larger-Than-Life Suzanne (Hite) Frank, AKA Suzy, Sis, Aunt Sis or Nana, passed away from natural causes in late March. She was 78 years old. Born in Teaneck, NJ, September 13, 1943, to parents James and Lorena (Mynes) Hite, Suzy grew up in Reading, Berks County, PA, with her two older brothers, Jim and Phil Hite. Suzy was a 1961 graduate of Exeter High School where she participated in softball, field hockey, cheerleading, newspaper, chorus, student council and was a class officer. At age 24 she moved to California, eventually entering the music business. Starting out at Capitol Records in the 60s, she ventured into artist management in the 70s and won the Academy of Country Music’s coveted Country Manager of the Year award. In the late 70s she joined Casablanca Records as VP of Artist and Repertoire, working with icons such as Donna Summer, The Village People and KISS. From ’79 to ’81 Suzy, along with two partners, owned and managed the Hong Kong Café, a club in the heart of LA’s Chinatown. As a personal manager, she helped launch the careers of Billy Burnette and Autograph. In the early 90s Suzy managed the comeback of longtime friend and musical legend Keely Smith. In the 90s Suzy moved to Venice Beach, CA, opened Abbot Kinney Real Estate, and embarked on another triumphant career. She helped influence much of the style, flair and vibe of today’s internationally renowned Abbot Kinney Blvd. and the hot Venice Beach real estate market. She was known and loved for her high energy, generosity and boundless enthusiasm. She was always the life of every party. Recently retired, Suzy split her time between her beach house in Mexico and home in La Quinta, CA, where she passed away peacefully at Eisenhower Hospital surrounded by her family. She is survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Lisa Frank and John Hogan and Kaylin Frank and Ed Mitchell; her three grandchildren, Austin, Clayton and Cianna; her brothers, Jim Hite and Phil Hite; sister-in-law, Pat Hite; and many beloved nieces and nephews. There will be a private memorial celebrating Suzy’s life later this year.