The Grove First - Coconut Grove, Miami's Online Stakeholder Community

LIFE, LOVE AND SERVICE

LIFE, LOVE AND SERVICE
Sue Billig devoted her life to family and community, and will be remembered for her many contributions to both.

BY JUDITH C. FAERRON

Known nationwide for her unwavering search for her daughter Amy, who mysteriously disappeared in 1974, Sue Billig was also known locally for her tireless civic commitment. She served on numerous boards,committees and associations during the 30-plus years she lived in Coconut Grove, and showed up “as often as she could when there

was a big zoning change at city hall,” recalls son Josh.

Sue Billig died last month at the age of 80, leaving behind a grieving family, a saddened community, supporters near and far, and the mystery of Amy’s disappearance still unsolved. Despite her age, a long battle with cancer and several recent heart attacks, the family was taken by surprise, says Josh.

“It has been especially hard on my daughters,” he notes. “She was like a third parent to them – even better because she was their friend.”

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Billig moved to Coconut Grove with her husband Ned and two small children in the late ’60s. The Grove seemed like an ideal place to “get away from all the crime” of New York, and the Billigs soon became respected members of the community.

Ned opened an art gallery on Commodore Plaza, Sue worked as an interior designer, and the family settled in.

Their lives changed forever when Amy vanished on the same day that bikers from rival “Pagan” and “Outlaw” gangs rumbled through the Grove. Sue pitched headlong into the search for Amy, encountering numerous dead ends and countless disappointments, but never giving up. She documented the ordeal in the book, “Without a Trace – The Disappearance of Amy Billig: A Mother’s Search for Justice,” co-authored with Greg Aunapu in 2001.

Her quest took her into the underworld of the motorcycle gangs, drugs and violence, bringing her face-to-face with murderers and extortionists. Soon after Amy’s disappearance, the family received word that she had been carried off by bikers, leading Sue on a heartrending cross-country pursuit that detoured in bizarre directions. Biker Paul Branch convinced her that Amy was with members of the Pagan motorcycle club and took money from Sue to help locate her daughter. After he died in the 1990’s, however, his widow revealed that Branch told her Amy had died while partying with the Pagans the same day she disappeared, and her body had been cut up and tossed into the Everglades.

During the intervening years, Sue also dealt with many other false leads and shams, such as sixteen-year-old twins Charles and Larry Glasser who said they kidnapped Amy, and demanded a $30,000 ransom. Their hoax was exposed when Sue showed up with police to make the payment.

And then there was the anonymous caller who tormented Sue for ten years with obscene calls claiming he was holding Amy as a sex slave. He was eventually revealed as Henry Blair, a U.S. Custom’s official who was tried and sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Frequently asked how she endured it all, Sue replied: “I just did what I had to do.” She was extensively praised by people from around the country on the Miami Herald’s obituary web pages, with comments such as: “I was struck with her courage, devotion and love for her family,” “she was a tower of strength,” “a rare and mighty Warrior Mother…the strongest and bravest woman we have ever heard of,” “truly an amazing woman,” “a classy lady,” “an inspiration,” “a beautiful spirit.”

“Sue was sassy, spunky, outspoken, full of life and goodwill,” said Elena V. Carpenter, publisher of Miami Monthly. Longtime friend Kathleen Morris added, “We shared a love for the Grove though activism. Sue was fun to watch in action – an inspiring, powerful force.”

“We were all fortunate to have her in our lives,” expressed son Josh, a local stonemason, who says he hopes to be able to “carry on the civic torch to some degree.” Her legacy includes decades of service on the Coconut Grove Parking Advisory Committee, the Tree Man Trust, The Coconut Grove Civic Club, the Cocoanut Grove Village Council and West Grove Homeowners and Tenants Association.

Predeceased by her husband Ned in 1993, Sue is survived by Josh and his wife, Michelle McGonigal; their daughters Maya, 11, and Elizabeth, 17; and other family and friends. Contributions can be made in her memory to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

http://www.massmediamiami.com/billig.html