And Sue

(originally published 2/19/2010)

This was a rough week for the Landrum cousins. Less than 24 hours after Jamie's funeral on Monday - in the midst of a blizzard - we also lost our beloved cousin Sue. Not unexpected, but a terrible blow nonetheless. These two... were the heart of the whole bunch. My sister Judy put these words to what we are all feeling: "It's so sad that Jamie and Sue went so close together, but maybe they are holding hands and singing songs and taking care of each other now, maybe they planned it that way. It comforts me to think of them together. But such a loss to those left behind."

Here's a picture from 1979, in the Landrum family cemetery, "up on the hill." Aunt Hazel (my father's sister) with her brood, as they will always stay in our memory. Sue is kneeling, in front. Back: Roland, Hazel, Sandy, Dave.

Obituary: 

Hoag, Vivian Sue (Gross) passed away on February 16, 2010, at Hospice of Dayton. She was born April 14, 1945, daughter of the late Lester “Pot” and Hazel Gross. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved brother, David Gross; stepfather Douglas Watkins; stepbrother and wife John and M.J. Lorimer and stepsister Addie Kochanowski. She worked as a secretary throughout her professional career, the last 25 years at Wright Patterson AFB. Over the years she worked for several Program Offices but she always considered the F-117 Stealth Fighter Program Office her family and her own personal airplane. In 1998 she was nominated and voted in as the first female “Stealth Pioneer,” a great honor considering the caliber of men who have received this great award. She was blessed to be given and survived by a family of love and life. Adored son Scott Hoag, worshiped daughter Jenni Hoag and the most glorious granddaughter Kelsey Hoag, sister and brother-in-law Sandy and Carmon Marano, brother and sister-in-law Roland and Sharon Gross, sister-in-law Margie Gross, stepbrother and sister-in-law Allen and Maxine Watkins, nephews Tim (Angie) Myers, Steve (Desirae) Gross,  David Gross, and great-nephews Mike and JC Myers and “second daughter” Angie Keeton-Hicks. She lived in a world of special aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors and friends; in particular her appointed mother “Aunt Mae,” “Sarge,”  special friends Brent and Charlotte Petty, Jim Williams, and Ann Devard. The family wants to thank Miami Valley Hospital, Respiratory and Pulmonary, who were always there to love and care for her. She considered them to be her darling angels. The family would also like to thank Hospice of Dayton for the care given in the last months of her life. The family will receive friends (Today) Thursday February 18, 2010, from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. in the Belton Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton Yellow Springs Road, Fairborn, where funeral service will be held on Friday, February 19, 2010, at 1:00 PM, Allen Watkins officiating. Interment will follow in the Byron Cemetery.