Susan Stone’s life to be celebrated July 6 in Ketchikan

Susan Ann Stone of Ketchikan passed away on June 22, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born Susan Bullock on July 12th, 1954, in Seattle, Wash. Susan spent her early childhood years in Fairbanks, Juneau, and Concord, Calif. before her parents settled in Kodiak, where her father, Don, was the pastor at St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church.

She cherished her memories of the years her family spent in Kodiak. They truly lived out the Alaska pioneer experience, starting the church there, and experiencing the 1964 Alaska earthquake and tsunami. In 1969, her family relocated to Ketchikan where Susan graduated from Ketchikan High School in 1971.

Susan then attended the University of Idaho where she earned a degree in Political Science and a teaching certificate, was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. While at the University of Idaho she met Roger, and they were married at St John’s Episcopal Church in Ketchikan on June 25, 1974. Susan and Roger settled in Lewiston, ID where they both worked at First Security Bank. Her first job with the bank was filing checks, and she held additional clerical positions until being one of the few women accepted into the Management Training Program.

In 1978 Susan and Roger let their sense of adventure bring them back to Ketchikan. Shortly after returning to Alaska, Susan and Roger welcomed their first daughter Tiffany, who was followed later by Stacey and then Kimberly.

Susan spent the next years of her life raising her children, volunteering her time with Parent Teacher Associations, Girl Scouts, St John’s Episcopal Church, First Lutheran Church, Long Term Care, the Pioneer Home, Ketchikan Theatre Ballet, and the Alaska Republican Party. Susan was a member of PEO Chapter A. She also spent time as a cruise lecturer on Alaskan cruises, sharing stories and knowledge about the state she loved so much.

In 1997 Susan accepted a position teaching 7th grade geography at Schoenbar Middle School. This began a 27-year teaching career in which Susan taught geography, Alaska studies, U.S. history, world history, AP U.S. history, American government, AP American government, and street law at both Schoenbar and Kayhi. Susan loved sharing her love of history with her students and was always urging her students to be involved in their communities, engage in acts of service, vote, and find support systems that would allow them to succeed. Susan retired at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

Susan was recognized for her service to her community in a number of ways over the years. She received the First Lady’s Volunteer Award from First Lady Emmalee Hickel. She was honored by the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce as the outstanding youth leader in 1992. She was recognized for her service as president of the Tongass Alaska Girl Scout Council by the Alaska State Legislature and honored with a lifetime membership in Girl Scouts of the USA.

Susan was a beloved wife and sister, talented educator, and dedicated volunteer, but above all she was a mom. She always referred to her daughters as “my girls,” and her students were always “my kids.” In the years her girls were growing up her home was always open as a gathering place, and she was a second mom to many.

During her years as a teacher, she was always concerned about her kids, and gave them her best every day. She quietly assisted many students to ensure they received their diplomas, and she was an outspoken champion of doing what is right for the kids of Kayhi. She also gave them an incredible example of perseverance as she continued to teach while she waged her mighty battle against cancer.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents Father Don & Evelyn Bullock. She is survived by her husband of 50 years Roger, daughters Tiffany (Tim) Cook, Stacey (Kiel) Stone, and Kimberly (Frank) Divelbiss, and grandchildren Timothy II, Sophia, Torin, Olin, June, and Gustaf. She is also survived by her siblings Don (Brita), Bob, Jennifer, and Geoff (Ruth) Bullock, Laird (Vicky) Stone, and a wonderful abundance of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Susan will be held at First Lutheran Church on July 6 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in the Kayhi Commons at 1:30 p.m. Susan would especially want her students to know that they are welcome to come and celebrate her wonderful life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Susan Stone Memorial Fund to continue Susan’s mission of supporting the youth of Ketchikan. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 5911, Ketchikan, AK 99901, or sent by Venmo to @MrsStoneMemorial .