Susan Naomi Hillman

Susan Naomi Hillman passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at The Ventura Convalescent Hospital in Ventura, California, from heart failure. She was 77 years old. Susan was born April 25, 1939 to Harry and Essie Hillman in Paterson, New Jersey. The older sister to Robert Hillman of Optical Fame. Susan attended Patterson State Teachers College.

In 1960, Susan married Israel Katzman and had her two children, Steven and Neil Katzman. Susan later became a Legal Secretary for The Shapiro Law Firm and after meeting her second husband Sam Eisner, moved in 1972 to St. Petersburg, Florida to open the two locations of The Control Driving Schools in St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida.

Then moving to California in 1976, Susan Eisner owned and operated The New York, New York Deli in Oxnard, California. After losing Sam to a heart condition, Susan became self employed as a successful Real Estate Loan Officer and a wholesale and retail fruit and vegetable dealer, when she met and married Rabbi Erwin Ruch in 1983. When the two parted, Susan lived in Las Vegas and Palm Springs before returning to the Ventura area and even lent her talent and character into Stand Up Comedy.

Susan loved to travel and enjoy fine food, especially enjoying her visits to Hong Kong and Tuscany, Italy and never passing on her favorite food, Maine Lobster.

As reflected in her life's pursuits, she will be forever remembered and loved as a free spirit who lived life to its fullest. She will be missed by her family, friends, and her son Steven and his children Kevin and Claire Katzman and her son Neil and his son Kenny Katzman.

Services will be held for Susan on Sunday, September 11th, 1:00 pm, at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, in Ventura, and afterwards at the Aloha Steakhouse, 364 S. California Street, at the beach Promenade.

Condolences may be directed to Steven and Neil Katzman in person or at 6600 Telephone Road, Unit 1401 in Ventura, California 93003 or at Facebook.com or TedMayrFuneralHome.com

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home.