Shel Silverstein, the famous novelist, poet, cartoonist, composer, and illustrator, rarely mentions Susan Taylor Hastings. Silverstein’s novels and lyrics have reached millions, but Hastings lived in the background. Silverstein’s biography, family papers, and memories of their California years provide most of her knowledge.
Her narrative is about love, privacy, family, and tragedy. During Silverstein’s time in Sausalito, she was the mother of his first child, Shoshanna Jordan Hastings. The nature of Hastings’ relationship with Silverstein and her death are unknown.
Early Life and Family Background
Susan Taylor Hastings was born on December 16, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland. Some biographical references identify Maryland more generally as her birthplace. Her parents were William Harlan Taylor and Regina M. Schroeder.
Little is known of Hastings’s youth, education, or early adulthood. She did not have a public career like Silverstein, with interviews, profiles, and biographies. Genealogical records, not entertainment or literary press, reveal her family history.
The limited information available suggests that her family had roots in Maryland and that she maintained a connection to Baltimore throughout her life. This connection became especially important after her death, when her young daughter was cared for by relatives in the area.
| Family member | Relationship to Susan Taylor Hastings | Known details |
|---|---|---|
| William Harlan Taylor | Father | Identified in genealogical accounts |
| Regina M. Schroeder | Mother | Identified as Susan’s mother |
| Shel Silverstein | Partner and father of her child | American writer, artist, and songwriter |
| Shoshanna Jordan Hastings | Daughter | Born in 1970 and died in 1982 |
| Meg and Curtis Marshall | Maternal relatives of Shoshanna | Helped raise Shoshanna after Susan’s death |
Life in Sausalito With Shel Silverstein
With Shel Silverstein, Hastings became involved with Sausalito, California. Sausalito, across the bay from San Francisco, has an artistic enclave, waterfront houses, and houseboat culture. It fit Silverstein’s eccentric life and resistance to expectations.
Many accounts situate Hastings and Silverstein aboard a houseboat from 1967 to 1975. The informal, creative attitude of their floating community was represented in their home. He was known for his itinerant lifestyle. He travelled extensively, made national friends, and switched artistic genres. Hastings may have been more stable during this time.
She may have met Silverstein at the Playboy Mansion as a model or former Playboy Bunny. These descriptors appear in biographical talks, but her professional life is unclear. She has no notable modelling, public appearances, or artistic output.
The relationship between Hastings and Silverstein is also described inconsistently. Some accounts call her his wife or former wife, while others state that they did not formally marry. Silverstein is generally described as never having entered a formal marriage, although he had several important relationships. For that reason, it is safest to describe Hastings as his longtime partner and the mother of his daughter.
The Birth of Shoshanna Jordan Hastings
Susan and Shel’s daughter, Shoshanna Jordan Hastings, was born on June 30, 1970, in the San Francisco area. She was sometimes called Shanna or Shoshana. Her birth connected Hastings and Silverstein through a family bond that would remain important even as their circumstances changed.
Silverstein’s travels kept him apart from family life. Shoshanna grew up with her mother, according to accounts. Although home life details are scant, Hastings appears to have been the primary carer.
Silverstein dedicated his 1981 poetry collection A Light in the Attic to Shoshanna, introducing her to readers. The novel was highly personal due to the dedication. A father’s tribute to a short-lived child whose memory he held was behind the collection’s funny poems, bizarre creatures, and amusing paintings.
Susan’s Death in 1975
Susan Taylor Hastings died on June 29, 1975, in Baltimore, Maryland. She was 31 years old. Her death occurred one day before Shoshanna’s fifth birthday, adding a painful detail to an already tragic family history.
It’s unclear how Hastings died. Thus, credible narratives should avoid presenting supposition as fact. Shoshanna’s life changed after her death. Meg and Curtis Marshall, her aunt and uncle in Baltimore, raised the youngster.
This familial arrangement is described as a practical response to Shoshanna’s mother’s death and Silverstein’s travels. Silverstein apparently lamented not being more involved with his daughter. Although official specifics regarding their connection are scarce, Shoshanna remained part of his emotional background throughout later life.
Shoshanna’s Short Life
Shoshanna Jordan Hastings lived from June 30, 1970, to April 24, 1982. She died at the age of 11 from a cerebral aneurysm.
Her death occurred fewer than seven years after her mother’s. A tragic setback for Silverstein. The dedication of A Light in the Attic, published the year before Shoshanna died, is now more poignant. The book is frequently read as a compilation of lively poems for kids, but its dedication links it to a family grieving.
After Hastings’s death, Shoshanna’s maternal relatives reared her in Baltimore. Meg and Curtis Marshall are mentioned in family accounts, but their private life are unknown. They gave Shoshanna a secure childhood home, which was crucial.
Susan’s Place in Silverstein’s Biography
Susan Taylor Hastings is not known for a large body of independent work. Her importance lies instead in the family history surrounding Silverstein and Shoshanna. She belonged to a private chapter of his life that existed before many readers knew the full personal story behind his books.
Silverstein promoted individualism, humour, and nonconformity. His paintings featured talking animals, impossible landscapes, rebellious youngsters, and disobedient characters. Disparate accounts describe Hastings’ life. He describes her as a person glimpsed through a window, vital to the family saga but rarely described in her own voice.
Her connection to Silverstein also places her near several important works. The Giving Tree, published in 1964, had already made Silverstein famous before his years with Hastings in Sausalito. Where the Sidewalk Ends, published in 1974, appeared shortly before Hastings’s death. A Light in the Attic, published in 1981, was dedicated to their daughter.
Silverstein’s other major works included The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, Falling Up, and the posthumously published Runny Babbit. He also wrote songs such as “A Boy Named Sue,” “The Cover of the Rolling Stone,” and “Sylvia’s Mother.” These works reveal the unusual range of his imagination, but they do not provide a complete portrait of his private family life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Susan Taylor Hastings?
Susan Taylor Hastings was an American woman associated with Shel Silverstein and the mother of his daughter, Shoshanna Jordan Hastings. She lived privately and is known mainly through biographical accounts of Silverstein and family records.
When was Susan Taylor Hastings born?
She was born on December 16, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Who were Susan Taylor Hastings’s parents?
Her parents were William Harlan Taylor and Regina M. Schroeder.
Was Susan Taylor Hastings married to Shel Silverstein?
Accounts differ. Some refer to her as Silverstein’s wife or former wife, while others state that they were not formally married. Silverstein is generally described as having had significant long term relationships without marrying. Describing Hastings as his partner is the most cautious wording.
Did Susan Taylor Hastings have children?
Yes. She and Shel Silverstein had one daughter, Shoshanna Jordan Hastings, who was born on June 30, 1970.
When did Susan Taylor Hastings die?
She died on June 29, 1975, in Baltimore, Maryland, at the age of 31.
What was the cause of her death?
The cause of death is not widely documented in publicly available accounts.
Who raised Shoshanna after Susan’s death?
Shoshanna was raised by maternal relatives in Baltimore, commonly identified as her aunt and uncle, Meg and Curtis Marshall.
What happened to Shoshanna Jordan Hastings?
Shoshanna died on April 24, 1982, at the age of 11, from a cerebral aneurysm.
Which Shel Silverstein book was dedicated to Shoshanna?
Silverstein dedicated A Light in the Attic, published in 1981, to Shoshanna.
