Susan L. Tolar of Hermiston died on July 11, 2025 in Hermiston at the age of 74.
She was born on Oct. 22, 1950 in Milford, Mass. to Frank and Marion Lightbown.
Susan was raised in Whitinsville, Mass., graduating from Northbridge High School with the highest GPA in the class of 1968. She graduated cum laude from Connecticut College in 1972. During her four years there, the college transformed from Connecticut College for Women to a co-educational institution with co-ed dorms, a most interesting time to grow into adulthood. Susan earned a degree in sociology and an elementary teaching credential. She married Gerald Black immediately after graduation and traveled across the country to settle in Portland for three years. Susan worked steadily as a substitute teacher and as a part-time salesperson at Meier and Frank at Lloyd Center. She continued her studies and earned a master’s degree in education and an administrative credential from Portland State University.
In 1975 she moved to Eastern Oregon, beginning her full-time teaching career at A.C. Houghton Elementary School in Irrigon, teaching sixth grade. As the student population grew in northern Morrow County, Susan decided to apply for the principalship for the new elementary school in Boardman. She was hired for the job in 1979 and began her work as full-time principal at Sam Boardman Elementary when the school opened in March 1980. She was the best principal that SBE ever had, for its first 24 years. Susan served on the county Citizen Advisory Committee for 24 years, advising the Department of Human Services on cases of children in out-of-home placement. She had said that her years at SBE were exciting, challenging and very fulfilling, and that the best part of the job was the relationships built with students, staff and parents.
In December 1983, she married Mick Tolar. They lived in Boardman until 2015, then resettled in Hermiston. Mick and Susan enjoyed years of retirement together, traveling to many destinations. She recognized that she was blessed many times over with opportunities, experiences and positive relationships with so many people.
Susan leaves behind her sister, Andrea; step children, Patrick, Megan and Aaron; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mick, her parents and two brothers.
A private family burial was held at the Echo Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the International Rescue Committee, 122 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y., 10168-1289 (rescue.org) or to Save the Children, 501 Kings Highway E., Suite 400, Fairfield, Conn., 06825 (savethechildren.org).
A private family burial was held at the Echo Cemetery.
Please share memories of Susan with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
