Born Zsuzsanna Tornya on July 30, 1939, in Budapest, Hungary, Susie Heksch entered the world at the edge of unimaginable darkness. An only child whose parents had waited ten years for her birth, Susie’s early years were marked by love and quiet resilience. During the Holocaust, her father was taken to Auschwitz, where he perished after sending a single postcard home—one Susie still treasures. Hidden as a child and protected by her devoted mother, Susie survived the war with courage beyond her years.

In 1956, during the Hungarian uprising, Susie and her mother escaped across the border to Austria under cover of night before immigrating to Cleveland, Ohio. Arriving without English and heartbroken to leave her homeland, she persevered—graduating from Cleveland Heights High School in 1958 and beginning to build a new life.

In 1959, she married fellow Holocaust survivor Milos (Mickey) Heksch. Together they raised three children and later opened Downtown Stereos in Cleveland. Susie devoted herself to her family, especially to her daughter Debbie, whom she lovingly cared for throughout her life. Today, surrounded by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Susie finds her greatest joy in family, friendship, and faith.

Though she prefers a quiet life over public speaking, Susie’s story speaks volumes. It is a testament to devotion, perseverance, and the enduring strength of a mother’s love—and to the pride she carries in being Jewish and raising her children to be good, compassionate people.