Got a tip for us?Let us know

a. Send us an email
b. Anonymous form

A Sister's Eulogy for Steve Jobs

Sunday October 30, 2011 1:37 PM PDT by Arnold Kim

The New York Times publishes a touching eulogy written by Steve Jobs' sister Mona Simpson:

None of us knows for certain how long we’ll be here. On Steve’s better days, even in the last year, he embarked upon projects and elicited promises from his friends at Apple to finish them. Some boat builders in the Netherlands have a gorgeous stainless steel hull ready to be covered with the finishing wood. His three daughters remain unmarried, his two youngest still girls, and he’d wanted to walk them down the aisle as he’d walked me the day of my wedding.

We all — in the end — die in medias res. In the middle of a story. Of many stories.

Photo from USC.edu

Top Rated Comments

Nicky G

187 months ago

How could one not be in tears by the end of this. Truly amazing. Steve, you wowed us so many times -- it's fitting to know you yourself were in a state of awe as you, as they said in Hudsucker Proxy, "Merged with the infinite." Beautiful.

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

movie-mac

187 months ago

Oh wow.

Indeed.

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

TheOrioles33

187 months ago

A sad and beautiful read.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

SvP

187 months ago

When my father died, of lung cancer, it was similar. Jerky breaths, hard work, steps as if there was huge mountain to climb, no backing up. My mother, my brother and me found it very sad, but also very special, loving, beautiful. We knew he was proud, we knew he was sad to leave us. I hope his family finds themselves strong, and able to cope without him. If my guesses of the man's personality are right; he married a fantastic woman, businesswoman, mother and wife, and parented his kids into well balanced, good minded and kind people. I wish them the best.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

PinkâFloyd

187 months ago

I want to see steve's sketchpad

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Nicky G

187 months ago

This is what makes this NOT sad. Listen folks -- the ONLY thing you can count on for sure, is that you will die. It is natural, and right -- NOT a punishment. Steve accomplished more in his life, both in terms of what he contributed to society at large, and, I think, more importantly, in his own personal development, than most people ever will. He had a beautiful life, and in those last moments, maybe, just maybe, as one poster here so eloquently said, saw "one more thing" so much greater and more wonderful than even HE of all people could have imagined...

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Read All Comments

Popular Stories

Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature

Apple Announces Special Event in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4

Monday February 16, 2026 6:05 am PST by Hartley Charlton

Apple today announced a "special Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Apple invited select members of the media to the event in three major cities around the world. It is simply described as a "special Apple Experience," and there is no further information about what it may entail. The invitation features a 3D Apple logo design...

• 176 comments

Apple's Next Two Products Are Coming Soon

Thursday February 12, 2026 11:17 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple plans to release an iPhone 17e and an iPad Air with an M4 chip "in the coming weeks," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple retail employees say that inventory of the iPhone 16e has basically dried out and the iPad Air is seeing shortages as well," said Gurman. "I've been expecting new versions of both (iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air) in the coming weeks."...

Gurman: iPhone 18 Pro Could Be Underwhelming

Monday February 16, 2026 4:24 am PST by Hartley Charlton

Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models "won't be a big update," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the iPhone 18 Pro models will "represent minor tweaks from last year's iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max." He compared the upgrade to Apple's past practice of appending the letter "S" to its more minor...

• 108 comments

Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Event on March 4: Here's What to Expect

Tuesday February 17, 2026 8:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple on Monday invited selected journalists and content creators to a "special Apple Experience" on Wednesday, March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. At an Apple Experience, attendees are typically given the opportunity to try out Apple's latest hardware or software. Following the launch of Apple Creator Studio last month, for example, some content creators attended an Apple Experience...

• 55 comments

Coffee Burgundy and Purple iPhone 18 Pro Mock

Five iPhone 18 Pro Features Revealed in New Report

Friday February 13, 2026 8:43 am PST by Joe Rossignol

While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still seven months away, an analyst has revealed five new features the devices will allegedly have. Rumored color options for the iPhone 18 Pro models In a research note with investment firm GF Securities on Thursday, analyst Jeff Pu outlined the following upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro models: Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored...

• 59 comments