- Date Of Birth: April 3, 1943
- Date Of Death: March 26, 2015
- State: Idaho
Dr. Susan G. Williamson passed away quietly at home on March 26th surrounded by her husband (Paul Zimmerebner), her three daughters (Mara McMillen, Marissa Emmons, Mindi Lacy), and her sister (Lynda Hall). She is survived by the aforementioned, as well as, her 5 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, numerous nieces and nephews, & her brothers: Howard Benham & Clark Benham.
Susan was one of those rare souls that knew at an early age what they wanted to be: an educator. A classic overachiever, she was given a student teacher her first year teaching. She transformed her kindergarten classroom into barnyard covering the outside door with a cardboard cutout of a barn door. Inside children were greeted with cardboard figures of pigs, chickens, and a tractor built around a stool that they could sit on and pretend to drive.
She went on to teach other grade levels, including Jr. High, was a counselor, a principal, a superintendent of Wylie school district in Texas, & was the acting superintendent of that same district, before moving to Idaho.
Her eldest daughter, Mara, convinced her to come and interview with the Boise School District. Susan asked for the toughest & lowest performing school that they had. They were happy to give it to her. She became the principal of William Howard Taft Elementary. Under her guidance the school went from one of the poorest performing schools, to the first elementary to be given the National Blue Ribbon Award for excellence. Susan was proud of the fact that this was done with most of the original teachers that were on staff when she arrived. She believed in teachers, and supported them so that they could do their job: do what is best for students. She lived by the credo: Grow or go. A voracious reader, she was always looking for ways to improve herself, and others. In 2011, in Washington D.C., she was recognized as the National Principal of the Year for Idaho.
Awards and accolades aside, she was most proud of the relationships that she formed with her students, staff, parents, and community partners. She was counted a friend to many, and respected by all who came in contact with her.
She will be sorely missed.
* SUSAN G. WILLIAMSON REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
Date: May 2
Time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. (come and go)
Balloon launch dedication: 7 p.m.
