"Dear Steve, Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved sister Susan. May you be comforted by happy memories of her and in the knowledge that she lived an extraordinary life, inspiring all knew her. On behalf of The International Division and the External Advisory Board, Guido Podestá and Tom Sternberg"
In loving memory of
Susan Halloway
November 26, 1953 - August 23, 2015
SAUK PRAIRIE - Susan Halloway, born November 26, 1953 in Milwaukee to Harry and Belle (Rubin) Halloway, died on August 23 at the St Clare Hospice House in Baraboo after a brief battle with a rare and aggressive cancer.
Sue got her music education degree at UW Madison and began teaching at Sauk Prairie High School in 1979, retiring in 2012. Her marching band competed in the St Petersburg Festival in 1982, played under the state capitol rotunda for a Clinton-Gore appearance in 1992 and marched in the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2008.
She and her colleague, choral director Karen Luher created the phenomenon that is Sauk Prairie Show Choir in 1982. Their unique Broadway musical style is renowned nationwide, and over the years they amassed an array of awards including at competitions in Chicago, Nashville, Orlando and New York. Their mixed group, Executive Session performed at the 1996 WIAA State Boys's Basketball Championship game and was twice invited to perform at the State School Board Convention.
Sue helped organize five Summer Session alumni show choir European tours. In 1999 she co-created the Fab 50's Live! show which ran at Chula Vista Resort through 2007.
Halloway and Luher taught their students the importance of taking risks in order to be their best and create something wonderful as a group. Their music department mantra was "it's the journey, not the destination." One of Sue's most famous pieces of advice to students every year was "Ask yourself, 'Self, is this stupid?' If it is, don't do it." Students and parents alike will long remember her inspiring 'Circle Talks' before every show choir and musical performance. "Hug a friend." Many students and fellow teachers called her mentor.
In addition to teaching, conducting and playing a mean flute, Sue was a gifted athlete: a first rate golfer and world class bowler, 3-time national collegiate women's champion and ranked 4th in the world.
Sue is survived by her parents Belle and Harry Halloway of Prairie du Sac, her brother H. Stephen Halloway and his wife Helen of Alexandria, VA and her nephew Josh Halloway of Los Angeles.
Special thanks go to the doctors and nursing staff of St Mary's Hospital and to the staff of St. Clare Hospice House for their gentle and compassionate care of Sue, her family and friends.
A celebration of Sue's life will be planned for later in the year. In lieu of cards, condolences can be posted on her guestbook at caringbridge.org. Memorials may be made to the Luher-Halloway Endowment at the Greater Sauk County Community Foundation, 600 Chestnut St, Baraboo, WI 53913.
"Oh the things you can think when you think about Sue-ss."
Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
608-238-3434
Tributes
"Sue, I didn't mean to fuck up on the count down but it happened and, well it was chaos. The entire marching band ran double time, breath panting to push what little air was left in their lungs through the instruments that clung to their fists, elbows pumping in a double time shuffle of sound collapsing -- sabotage. I remember you screaming so many swear words at the top of your lungs, at me personally as we exited the football field my senior year -- crowd astonished at the annual Sauk Prairie High homecoming football game half time show. All I could do was keep a straight face, really I didn't understand what prompted me to pick such as fast tempo; I can only claim temporary insanity. Later I attempt to explain myself, but me saying "I was waiting this whole time to do that", (really poor choice in words) comes across as malevolent, even though by "that" I meant "fuck up righteously during a performance" was more of a really ill timed joke than an explanation, the only explanation is that there is no explanation for a wild card, nor reason to put one in charge of a 4 beat count down that has the power to set 65 students into a marching band cluster fuck. But that's what I love about you. You empowered your students to express that inner fire in a way that (usually) channelled creativity and fostered (mostly) positive growth. Truly music is a tool for self discovery and that day you found me (four years earlier), skipping class so that I could play on the piano in the band room, and you acted like "WTF why are you not in my class?" felt so good to be discovered, to not suck at something lol, to beginning the musical journey of my own self discovery process, these feelings will always stick with me and most likely project forward everywhere I go. In a way you're a hero to me and I'm sure to so many others who at times may have felt invisible like me but were sort of found again, like sense of purpose, sense of self, in discovery of what you saw in them. I'll always miss the conversation we never had (should've stopped by to say hi when I was there 3 weeks ago), and let's not get into the Europe trip debacle (the money came late), nor the "borrowed" keyboard (come on! that JUNO was gonna make us famous)... and afterall, I mean, the Packers did win the super bowl (that Packers hat with blinking lights was totally tasteful in me wearing it on stage during your Executive Session award ceremony)... But in all seriouslessness (don't take things too seriously), the seeds you've planted in the hearts and minds of your students like me extend far beyond the prairie of Sauk and/or the prairie Du Sac (neighboring town) but most likely around the globe I'm like 108% positive on that and I'm sure by now you already know the extent. Thank you for being such a Boss teacher, mentor, and friend during what was a very special and also challengefull (not actually a word) timeline of my life. Whew, glad I got that off my chest lol"
"Sue, thank you, thank you, thank you! What a legacy you have left in our community and for the hundreds of students who walked through your classroom doors at Sauk Prairie High School. Rest in peace."
"Harry and Belle ... I can't tell you how upset I was to learn of the passing of Susan. My condolences to the two of you. Always, Ed Anhalt"
"What a tremendous loss to the Sauk Prairie Community. You have touched so many with your music. Thank you for bringing it into our community. You will be deeply missed."
"Sue, You were an amazing teacher! Every time I was in your room I witnessed miracles from a great teacher. If one's life can be judged a success by how many people were positively impacted by another, you are now in life's "Hall of Fame." I am, and will always miss you my friend. Thank you for everything you've done for your students, and the entire Sauk Prairie community "
"I will always reminder Sue in band with John "Daddy" Drewes. I believe Sue played first chair flute and, of course, excelled at that instrument."
"The entire Ward-Brodt family is saddened by this untimely loss. Sue was a huge supporter of our people and company. We welcomed her as a part-time associate and will miss her deeply, as will the entire music community. Her inspiration will last through a generation and more. "
"We remember Susan from all the stories that Steve told us over the years. Our sympathies to Steve and Helen and Belle and Harry. We send our love.."
"From the hundreds of loving messages on Caring Bridge, one can see how deeply Sue touched and influenced the lives of so many. Our family loved her and she will be sincerely missed. Rest in peace, Susie."
"We wish to send the family of Sue Halloway a loving tribute to a woman who dedicated much of life to the arts and the Sauk Prairie community. A good friend gone much too soon. God's blessings to the Halloway family."