Birth date: Dec 9, 1947 Death date: Feb 7, 2026
Sue Ann Olson, 78, of Tucson, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 7, 2026. Born on December 9, 1947, and raised in Des Plaines, Illinois, Sue carried her Midwestern roots with her as she ventured farther from home. Sh Read Obituary
Sue was one of the first people that I met when I moved to Arizona about 50 years ago. We quickly bonded with our interest in working to establish creative educational environments for kids with disabilities and supports for their families. As time went by Sue became a close friend and with a small fun group we formed our own weird family of sorts. I loved to visit her and hike in Sabino Canyon and discuss the ins-and-outs of the characters in All My Children who were staples in our diet.
Over this last decade Sue and I became closer friends and would share experiences of attaining “elder” status. We shared ourLife Map experiences, always trying to fit all of life pieces into a picture we could make sense of. Sue had such great perspectives on life to offer, always with her Pollyanna perspective.
Both of us had a fondness for horses and she plotted a trip for us to take to Kentucky Blue Grass Country in 2018. By using her brilliant networking skills, she arranged for us to personally meet American Pharoah and Silver Charm. And of course whenever we spotted a Dairy Queen on that trip, we had to stop! Later on, we even found a way to own our own little slivers of of a race horse.
She remained that stable friend who I could talk with each Sunday afternoon to review all the experiences that life had offered us that week. She would always be contemplative about problems in life and always full of gratitude. I will surely miss her perspective on life and for sure her capacity to laugh at life. I am so very blessed to have been graced with her friendship through much of my life.
I first got to know Sue when I was a swimming coach with Jim at the University Aquatic Club at Bear Down Gym pool. We developed a great friendship during the mid 70s, with many warm lasting memories. Many evenings at their home in the foothills watching sunsets, or torrential rains, or putting together jigsaw puzzles. I would insist on not looking at the picture of the puzzle once we started, but Sue wouldn’t have it. Then one day she bought a puzzle (Mickey Mouse face), put the pieces in a plastic bag, and then gave them to me. So Sue. Oh she had the best sense of humor and laugh. We shared many breakfasts at the Blue Willow, and drives in her Datsun 240 Z. And of course, watched Harold and Maude at the Loft Theater. Five times. Always stoned. Always laughing at the opening scene. Which horrified the audiences if they had not seen it yet. She loved that movie, taking Maude’s philosophy on life to heart: Cherish life, live life with adventures to its fullest. And especially, take chances. I was blessed to have Sue as a dear friend and have her beautiful soul in my life.
Larry Burstein
I learned a lot from Sue over the many years of working with her and as a friend. She shared many stories of growing up in the Midwest, her love for her daughter, dogs and horses, and her uncanny ability to remember people and things that most would likely forget. We kept up with each other through an occasional lunch, phone calls, and texting. She was a compassionate, fun-loving sweet soul that I will miss dearly. I’m grateful to have known her and to be considered a friend.
Sue was a very dear friend. We worked together for twenty years and had lunch together monthly since her retirement. We texted each other just about daily. During our time as friends we leaned on each other for advice about everything from family to watering plants. Sue had a love for her family, her dogs, a good TV series , nature and a total joy of life itself. I will miss my dear friend, I am grateful for having her friendship for so many years. I have the gift of memories with Sue . I also am so grateful her loved Nikki was there for last days. Sue was a loving and caring person, a gift to us all that had the opportunity to know her.
Seasons of Sue
