Sad News - RIP Moxie

britbox

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I have some sad news to share with the forum - I regret to say that our fellow poster Susan - aka Moxie - has passed away.

Given Moxie's huge contribution to these boards over the years, I didn't think it was fitting to post it in the Odds and Ends forum even though it's not really a tennis post. Moxie wore every hat on this forum and it's predecessor boards over the years - poster, moderator, admin, writer, and more - and this place was really one of her extended online families. Over 45,000 posts.

I never met Susan in person, but some other posters have - and will no doubt have their own words to share. My connection with her was entirely online - beginning with the wild Tennis.com forum days through to the Tennis Frontier board - probably spanning around 18-20 years in total.

We bickered about a lot of stuff and irritated each other regularly - especially on politics - but I also knew she had a good heart, meant well and was deeply caring, compassionate and authentic. Not to mention tough and fiesty.

Outside of this place, I believe she was a human rights and political activist, a marathon runner and fierce advocate for New York City - her adopted home.

And of course, Moxie was one of the biggest most loyal Rafa fans you'll ever find. She couldn't even pick against Rafa in any Draw Challenge - deeming it disloyal!

Out of curiosity, I looked up the definition of "moxie" and according to the dictionary it is:

- The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.
- Aggressive energy; initiative.
- Skill; know-how

I can't think of a better description!

To round off, I thought I'd share Moxie's last contribution to the Music Box thread. Her final post was song from Chicago, but just above it she shared the well-known Bill Withers tune "Ain't No Sunshine" which somehow seems more fitting.



Rest in peace Susan, it was a pleasure. You and your moxie will be missed.
 

tented

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She will be greatly missed. I never met her in person, either, but had also known her for almost two decades. We used to talk regularly, game planning Rafa’s matches, celebrating the incredible highs and awful lows. You’d think we worked for him. Now, I will always remember her distinctive voice and laugh.

@nehmeth — as one of the other original founders of the site, I’ll tag you to be sure you get this news.
 
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MargaretMcAleer

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I have some sad news to share with the forum - I regret to say that our fellow poster Susan - aka Moxie - has passed away.

Given Moxie's huge contribution to these boards over the years, I didn't think it was fitting to post it in the Odds and Ends forum even though it's not really a tennis post. Moxie wore every hat on this forum and it's predecessor boards over the years - poster, moderator, admin, writer, and more - and this place was really one of her extended online families. Over 45,000 posts.

I never met Susan in person, but some other posters have - and will no doubt have their own words to share. My connection with her was entirely online - beginning with the wild Tennis.com forum days through to the Tennis Frontier board - probably spanning around 18-20 years in total.

We bickered about a lot of stuff and irritated each other regularly - especially on politics - but I also knew she had a good heart, meant well and was deeply caring, compassionate and authentic. Not to mention tough and fiesty.

Outside of this place, I believe she was a human rights and political activist, a marathon runner and fierce advocate for New York City - her adopted home.

And of course, Moxie was one of the biggest most loyal Rafa fans you'll ever find. She couldn't even pick against Rafa in any Draw Challenge - deeming it disloyal!

Out of curiosity, I looked up the definition of "moxie" and according to the dictionary it is:

- The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.
- Aggressive energy; initiative.
- Skill; know-how

I can't think of a better description!

To round off, I thought I'd share Moxie's last contribution to the Music Box thread. Her final post was song from Chicago, but just above it she shared the well-known Bill Smithers tune "Ain't No Sunshine" which somehow seems more fitting.



Rest in peace Susan, it was a pleasure. You and your moxie will be missed.

OMG I cant believe it, she was a Icon at tennis frontier, actually I was going to ask about Moxie/Susan and where she was the other day, we both shared a love of Rafa, also both loved movies and music. I am lost for words. You will be in my prayers
RIP Susan
 

Kieran

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This is a brutal start to the day, brother, but thanks for letting us know. It’s impossible to imagine this page without Susan. As you say, she was with us on the old tennis.com board and we all tramped around to different places until you generously gave us this forum. Moxie was a suitable name for her, I never knew its other meaning until now. I thought it was a drink, one I often found difficult to swallow. But she and I both knew that no matter our disagreements, our friendship and Rafa helped us rise above.

She was tough, stubborn, funny, strident, interested in so many things, hugely knowledgeable about cinema and culture, and she worked on films and documentaries in some capacity. She loved Rafa like crazy and tag-teaming with her against the Fediots and Djokolytes was always a pleasure - and a relief too, that she was on the right side.

I’m really sad now, she’s been a huge part of our lives for so long. Myself and the missus had the good fortune of meeting her a couple of times, once in Sicily and once in New York. Both Italy and New York were her homes, I suppose. Culturally she was both, and also she’d some Spanish blood too.

Susan was very thoughtful and sensitive, she had great integrity, I don’t know, this just terrible to be thinking of her this way. I wish I had a few suitable Italian phrases to send her on her way, she’d really appreciate that, but I’m gonna light a candle for her, she was a special one, and we’ll all miss her..
 

MargaretMcAleer

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This is a brutal start to the day, brother, but thanks for letting us know. It’s impossible to imagine this page without Susan. As you say, she was with us on the old tennis.com board and we all tramped around to different places until you generously gave us this forum. Moxie was a suitable name for her, I never knew its other meaning until now. I thought it was a drink, one I often found difficult to swallow. But she and I both knew that no matter our disagreements, our friendship and Rafa helped us rise above.

She was tough, stubborn, funny, strident, interested in so many things, hugely knowledgeable about cinema and culture, and she worked on films and documentaries in some capacity. She loved Rafa like crazy and tag-teaming with her against the Fediots and Djokolytes was always a pleasure - and a relief too, that she was on the right side.

I’m really sad now, she’s been a huge part of our lives for so long. Myself and the missus had the good fortune of meeting her a couple of times, once in Sicily and once in New York. Both Italy and New York were her homes, I suppose. Culturally she was both, and also she’d some Spanish blood too.

Susan was very thoughtful and sensitive, she had great integrity, I don’t know, this just terrible to be thinking of her this way. I wish I had a few suitable Italian phrases to send her on her way, she’d really appreciate that, but I’m gonna light a candle for her, she was a special one, and we’ll all miss her..
Kieran,

Italians often used this as a tender farewell,

la terra ti sia lieve ( May the earth be light on you)
 

Federberg

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This is so sad. Devastating news. Over the years Moxie and I had contentious debates on the forum from politics to the old Fedal battle, but alongside that we had a separate more personal private thread where we got to know each other. She always pushed me to make sure that I remained as argumentative as ever on the public forums. Even and particularly when she made me aware of her diagnosis. Obviously it's been noticed that she wasn't active on the forum over the last month, so those of us who knew were very worried. It is with great regret that I never met her in person, and I had promised that the next time I visited New York I would do so. If this doesn't drive home the point that life is fleeting and we should not delay in our intentions I don't know what will. Rest in blessed peace dear Susan.
 

Murat B.

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No way...This is extremely sad news. Like many others here, I have known her only through the forums but still for a long time. I was wondering where she was recently but as I did not know about her situation, I did not read into it that much. People get busy.
She will be missed. I do not know anything about her family but my condolences to them. She was a great soul. I will pray for her.
 

MargaretMcAleer

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I can’t find one. I used to think there had to be an obituary when someone dies, but after going through my dad’s passing in November, I learned that’s not true.
Trent you are correct, my girl friend who passed suddenly last year didnt have her passing online.Obituaries and funeral notices are optional, voluntary announcements are not legally required, they are not a mandatory part of the legal process of death registration as I found out here in Sydney.
 

El Dude

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That is so sad to hear. Just the other day, I was wondering about her as I hadn't seen her around (or tussled with her...which I'll miss). We go way back (online), and I remember being both frustrated with her (and her with me), but always coming back together as fellow lovers of tennis.
 
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mrzz

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In the last e-mail I got from her (about a month ago) she warned me her condition had worsened, and that she would not be able to go out due to low imunity. She said she would use the opportunity to watch a lot of tennis... also, she never lost that fighting spirit, it was there in her very last paragraph.

Like everyone, she went away. But, like very few, she kept on fighting.
 
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MargaretMcAleer

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Susan always had a 'fighting spirit" especially where Rafa was concerned
I remember clearly the time Rafa was playing the AO final,. 2022, Trent had it live online at TF
I could not see how Rafa could come back after being down 2 sets to love to Meddy, , I threw my rosary beads to the floor
Susan wearing her 'special tee shirt and lit her special candle never gave up hope, and she was right, dont ever write Rafa off!
 

Kieran

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In the last e-mail I got from her (about a month ago) she warned me her condition had worsened, and that she would not be able to go out due to low imunity. She said she would use the opportunity to watch a lot of tennis... also, she never lost that fighting spirit, it was there in her very last paragraph.

Like everyone, she went away. But, like very few, she kept on fighting.
She was made of good stuff. It’s true, we all had verbal battles with her, but she also had verbal battles with us too, and I know she respected that, because she fell out with none of us. She was classy and good fun, as well as opinionated. Very sharp. And very interesting too. Could chat about anything and everything. She was very special, I hope she’s at rest now…
 

Kieran

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Susan always had a 'fighting spirit" especially where Rafa was concerned
I remember clearly the time Rafa was playing the AO final,. 2022, Trent had it live online at TF
I could not see how Rafa could come back after being down 2 sets to love to Meddy, , I threw my rosary beads to the floor
Susan wearing her 'special tee shirt and lit her special candle never gave up hope, and she was right, dont ever write Rafa off!
That’s such a great tennis fan story. I was hiding behind the sofa and had superstitions relating to toilet breaks (mine) and hoovering the floor (once the point starts - I couldn’t watch it :lulz1:).

Susan loved all that insane obsessive fan stuff!
 

MargaretMcAleer

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That’s such a great tennis fan story. I was hiding behind the sofa and had superstitions relating to toilet breaks (mine) and hoovering the floor (once the point starts - I couldn’t watch it :lulz1:).

Susan loved all that insane obsessive fan stuff!
Being Rafa fans he did drive us to extremes at times watching him, I think he made us all suffer, on purpose:) at the end of the day, there will never being another Rafa, and yes Susan loved the insane obsessive fan stuff. God bless her!
 
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