Susan Hines Mosk

1946 - 2023

Susan Hines Mosk
December 14, 1946 - March 3, 2023
Susan was a resident of San Francisco for 40 years, relocating to Austin, Dallas and finally Vancouver, Washington in retirement. She grew up in Florida, an only child, who excelled academically as well as becoming an accomplished pianist, and nationally rated tennis player. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Florida State University and began a career in music which included playing at Carnegie Hall. After Carnegie Hall, she taught music to elementary and middle schoolers. Leaving music and the East Coast, Susan began a new career in sales for a large publishing house which brought her to San Francisco where she settled for most of her adult life.
In 1982 Susan married Stanley Mosk, the late California Supreme Court Justice and Attorney General. She began a love affair with the law that she maintained until her death. She graduated from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1990 and opened her law offices where she practiced for many years. During this time she was very active in San Francisco politics, working in San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown's office where she chaired the City's first Mayor's Summit for Women and took on special projects at the Port of San Francisco. She was awarded special recognition for her work negotiating strike settlements in contracts involving waste disposal and the municipal railway. Towards the end of her career, Susan was lured back into government joining The City of Oakland as Deputy City Attorney. There she used her negotiating skills to negotiate multiple city labor contracts, settlements, and other city initiatives working with all levels of the Oakland government, especially enjoying her work with the Firefighters and Police Department.
Upon her retirement, she moved to Texas where, enjoying her 'retired life'; she was never one to be content without having a healthy debate in process, and she facilitated a political forum for the residents of her senior community. Texas weather was not for Susan and after multiple location hunting trips, she found Vancouver, Washington. It suited her and she relocated to her initial home there until July of last year.
Always looking for the next adventure, she had the opportunity to become an inaugural resident in a new development and moved to University Village, where she had a lovely cottage that she was in the process of making her own with a unique style and a bit of bling. It was there she died unexpectedly on March 3, 2023.
As an only child who had no children, Susan's "family" were her friends scattered across the country, many with whom she shared a love of travel, bargain shopping, and art. Countless others benefited from her advice and wisdom over the years, both legal and life lessons. Susan was not one to sugarcoat her opinions and suggestions and she could always be counted on to share her truth.
Although she did not subscribe to any organized religion, she had a firm belief in God. She saw God in the beauty of nature, especially in animals of all kinds, with a special fondness for cats. She leaves behind her cherished cat, Crystal, who already is bringing joy to another cat lover.
The world has lost a truly formidable woman who lived her life authentically every day.
A memorial service will be held in the SF Bay Area at a future date. Please contact diane.n.gallo@gmail.com if you wish to be notified.