Susan L (Lightbown) Tolar

Susan L. Tolar of Hermiston, Oregon, was born on October 22, 1950 in Milford, Massachusetts to parents Frank and Marion Lightbown. She died on July 11, 2025 in Hermiston, Oregon at the age of 74 years. Susan was raised in Whitinsville, MA, 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 inton 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, Oregon for three years. Susan work 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 masters 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 AC Houghton 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 it’s first 24 years. Susan served on the county Citizen Advisory Committee for twenty four years, advising the Dept. of Human Services on cases of children in out-of-home placement. She has 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 & Aaron; 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mick, her parents and two brothers.
          

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston, Oregon.

A private family burial was held at the Echo Cemetery, Echo, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the International Rescue Committee, 122 East 42nd St., New York, New York 10168-1289 (rescue.org) or to save the children, 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400, Fairfield, CT 06825(savethechildren.org).

Please share memories of Susan with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.

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