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Bio - Sifu Sue (Jacobus) Messenger
Sue (Jacobus) Messenger, Mike Skinner Sr., and Nanette "No-No" Hagara pose for a photo some time around 1981.
photo courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr's personal collection.
Sue (Jacobus) Messenger received her Black Belt from Maria Warwick in 1981. She was one of the final instructors at the initial Aberdeen Kenpo Karate location in the early 1980s as Sibok Maria's health began to decline.
She began assisting with the children's class at the Aberdeen Kenpo Karate location on Market Street in early 1993.
Shortly after returning to Aberdeen Kenpo Karate under the direction of Mike Skinner Sr., Sue would depart Aberdeen Kenpo in 1994 to co-found Pacific Shaolin Kenpo. She was promoted from 1st Degree Black Belt to 3rd Degree Black Belt in 1995 by the International Shaolin Kenpo Association.
Sibok Maria Warwick and Sifu Sue Messenger - 1995
photo courtesy of Sue Messenger's personal collection.
Sifu Sue Messenger on Maria Warwick - "Maria meant so much to me. We came together at a difficult time in my life, and she became not only a mentor and Instructor to me, but also a great friend. I miss her dearly."
Her son Gabe Jacobus reached the rank of Green Belt prior to departing to Pacific Shaolin Kenpo with his mother. Gabe later reached the rank of Brown/Black Belt but did not yet achieve the elusive Black Belt.
Sue's daughter Rachael's highest known rank was Blue Belt.
Sifu Sue has been inactive in Shaolin Kenpo since approximately 1999, but has recently joined us again at Shaolin Kenpo Martial Arts of Olympia. Sifu Sue has always been a hard worker and we expect she'll be back up to speed soon!
Rachel Jacobus, Sue Messenger, and Gabe Jacobus while training at Aberdeen Kenpo Karate - 1993
photo used courtesy of Mike Skinner Sr's personal collection
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