Susan Diane Thompson passed away on November 2, 2016 as she lived, on her own terms and her own time. She was born September 17, 1949 in Pocatello, Idaho to Marvin Jardine and Leila Levina Eldredge Thompson. Susan (Sue) grew up in Pocatello attending Roosevelt and Green Acre elementary schools with frequent summers at the Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, undergoing 13 surgeries before junior high to combat a birth defect (spina bifida). The family moved to Murray, Utah in 1960 where she attended Grant Elementary, Riverview Jr. High, and graduating from Murray High School in 1967.
She was employed at Grand Central Stores and the LDS Hospital while earning a bachelor degree in music education from the University of Utah in 1973. She taught music at Hillcrest Jr. (Murray), Olympus High (Granite) and Mueller Park Jr. (Davis County), retiring in 2009.
She is a member of the LDS Church having served in Junior Sunday School, Young Women, and a teacher in Relief Society.
She enjoyed singing in the U of U Institute Choir until 1976, Mormon Youth Symphony and Chorus until 1980, and the Tabernacle Choir from 1980-2000, traveling on tour throughout the U.S. and 18 countries around the world.
She was a vocal coach for community theater in Murray, Draper and South Jordan. She served in UMEA (Utah Music Editors Association) as Vice President, as committee representative for the National Society of General Music, as MIOSM Jr. High Honor Choir and Retired member chairs, and as a judge and coach for music and drama.
She walked with crutches from the age of 3 to 51 when she continued an active life using a scooter to volunteer at Primary Children's Medical Center and substitute teach for her friends and colleagues.
Sue is survived by her sisters Carolie Nipko (Jack) and Linda Browning (Dennis), brothers Wayne Thompson and Steven Thompson (Dorothy) and by many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cottonwood 8th Ward Building, 6301 South 2300 East in Salt Lake City. There will be a viewing on Monday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) in Sandy and on Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment will take place at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery. Online condolences welcomed at www.larkincares.com.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Primary Children's Medical Center. Primary Children\s Hospital Foundation, PO Box 58249, Salt Lake City, UT 84158, or online at https://give.intermountainfoundation.org/primary-childrens-hospital.
