Mona Simpson's moving eulogy for her brother, Steve Jobs

The New York Times has published Mona Simpson's eulogy for her brother, Steve Jobs. Simpson delivered her eulogy during his memorial service on October 16 at the Memorial Church of Stanford University. In her remarks, she recalls her experience of his final days and hours, including his last words to his family.

Simpson's eulogy is both powerful and heartbreaking, and I won't cheapen it by clipping bits to include here. Go read the full piece at the New York Times. I'd argue that you'll learn just as much about what kind of person Steve Jobs was in his sister's moving eulogy as you will by reading Walter Isaacson's sprawling biography of him.

One recommendation: before you read Simpson's eulogy, grab a handkerchief. Unless you're carved out of wood, you're probably going to need it.

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Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/opinion/mona-simpsons-eulo…

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The New York Times has published Mona Simpson's eulogy for her brother, Steve Jobs. Simpson delivered her eulogy during his memorial...

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Will Harrington

By this part "This is what I learned: he was working at this, too. Death didn’t happen to Steve, he achieved it." I had gone from glazed eyes to tears. What an insanely beautiful tribute.

October 31 2011 at 4:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Nique

Why would you cry over someone you didn't even know?
Reminds me of the onion article about all the apple fanboys acting like their dad died

October 31 2011 at 12:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Nique's comment

rawsunseejay

Some people have empathy. More info on empathy here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empathy

October 31 2011 at 9:18 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Shannon Doherty

What could he have meant with those last words?

October 31 2011 at 11:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Stijn

I like how he stayed creative until the end. "Intubated, when he couldn’t talk, he asked for a notepad. He sketched devices to hold an iPad in a hospital bed. He designed new fluid monitors and x-ray equipment. He redrew that not-quite-special-enough hospital unit."

October 31 2011 at 5:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Roger

A beautiful tribute.

October 31 2011 at 2:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Adam Miller

As i got toward the end of the eulogy, i got choked up... and it takes alot for that to happen. Thanks for everything Steve you will truly be missed by everyone.

October 31 2011 at 2:04 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Adam Miller's comment

Edward DeBrincat

I'm with you Adam. It brought tears to my eyes - something which I thought I was incapable of doing. Steve you were, are and always be No. 1 in so many peoples eyes! Thanks for your amazing products which I love and adore. You'll be missed for eternity!

October 31 2011 at 7:22 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

maowai

Wow...Pretty eerie to hear his last words. A really great piece of writing as well.

October 31 2011 at 12:56 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to maowai's comment

neopod

Beautiful eulogy, I suppose the whole world will wonder what "Oh Wow…" will have ever been in Steve's eyes/mind at that critical time. Some would say he blueprinted an actual "Reality Distortion Field Device" and had patents, others would say "Zenful Peace with life"
I go with he had let the people he cared for know he loved them and he a saw a little white light, in the shape of the Apple logo, that will eternally glow 

October 31 2011 at 6:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply