Mama Blue

Answers for Elders Special Presentation: Advocate Anecdotes

Advocate Anecdotes are real stories from real people who have been through the thick of it when it comes to family caregiving. Their stories inspire us to do well, take our hardships one day at a time, and most importantly, they bring us together.

Because – no one should have to navigate the complicated world of eldercare alone and unsupported.

Mama Blue

Since 1976, original Seattle Seahawks Season Ticket Holder, Patti Hammond, led the cheers for the fans for the very first season onward. She showed up for games in full super-fan attire; a blue sweatsuit with lots of bling. Sparkly blue and green stars adorned her huge glasses, with a bright blue wig with neon green pompoms with blue and green feather boas were her trademark.

She was dubbed Mama Blue, a name that stuck forever.

At home games, she sat right by the tunnel to greet the players and as they walked in and out of the locker room. Whether they won or lost, there she’d be, blowing kisses, cheering for them, and many fans, coaches, former players, and current ones would stop and get a hug and kiss from her.

Mama Blue & Suzanne Newman — Photo courtesy of Suzanne Newman

Mama Blue has always been the North Star of the Seahawks fan base. She was the first Seahawks fan inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, and the 2020 Seahawks Fan of the year. She appeared on TV, in news stories, commercials, and more. Yet, Mama Blue was never invested when the Seahawks won or lost. What she loved were who she called “my boys.” She loved them through dismal record seasons, and she got to cheer for them when they finally won Super Bowl 48.

Mama Blue Dave Krieg — Mama Blue and Dave Krieg, courtesy of Suzanne Newman

After a long illness, Saturday, March 4^th, Mama Blue took her last breath. She was 92. Up until the end, she was passionate, outspoken, outrageous, funny, and gregarious, but most of all, she was all about love.

We all loved her.

I can only imagine that as she ascended onto a blue and green glittery cloud with a large sparkly megaphone, she is there to entertain and make all the angels in the sky laugh.

Her legacy teaches us that being a fan isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about loving the game and the connections we make when we LOVE a sport. Most importantly, it’s about showing LOVE for one another.

Mama Blue, rest in peace as you have soared into Seahawks Heaven. We fans send so much love up to you. I will love you forever my dear friend. You will be truly missed.

Suzanne Newman

Founder and CEO of Answers for Elders, Inc., Suzanne Newman proclaims often, “Caring for my mom was the hardest thing I ever have done, but it was also my greatest privilege.” Following a career of over 25 years in sales, media, and marketing management, Suzanne Newman found herself on a 6-year journey caring for her mother. Her trials and tribulations as a family caregiver inspired an impassioned life mission outside of the corporate world to revolutionize the journey that so many other American families also find themselves on. In 2009, she became the founder and CEO of Answers for Elders, Inc., subsequently hosting hundreds of radio segments and podcasts, as well as authoring her first book. Suzanne and Answers for Elders, Inc. have spent 14 years, and counting, committed to helping families and seniors along their caregiving journeys by providing education, resources, and support. Each week on the Answers for Elders podcast, Suzanne is joined by vetted professional experts in over 65 categories including Health & Wellness, Life Changes, Living Options, Money, Law, and more. Suzanne lives in Edmonds, Washington with her husband, Keith, and their two doodle dogs, Whidbey and Skagit.