Susan Wellard

Susan Mae Hill Wellard, was born on October 7, 1945, in Soda Springs, Idaho, and passed away on August 1, 2024, in Pocatello, Idaho. She was 78 years old.

Susan was the daughter of William Earl Hill and Nada Ione Egan Hill. She was the youngest in a large, loving family, joining siblings Barbara, Clain, Earlene, Seth, Dee, Billy, Hilda, Neil, Myrna, and Bonnie.

Susan's childhood was spent in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, where she attended school. She was a proud graduate of Marsh Valley High School in Arimo, Idaho. Susan had a special affection for her alma mater, frequently singing the fight song of the Mighty, Mighty Eagles whenever she traveled past the school building on I-15.

On October 24, 1965, Susan married Gerald "Lynn" Wellard in Elko, Nevada. They began their married life in Pocatello, where they first met, and welcomed their daughter, Lisa, in 1966. The family moved to Montpelier in 1971, where their son, Eric, was born in 1974. The family was sealed together on January 31, 1975 at the Idaho Falls temple. In 1977, Susan and Lynn returned to Pocatello, and their family was completed with the birth of their daughter, Audrey, in 1983.

Once Audrey started school, Susan decided to pursue her college education with aspirations of becoming a teacher. However while she loved the courses associated with teaching, she was less enthusiastic about the generals required. She wanted to work with the students, and Tendoy Elementary made that desire come true by offering her a position as a paraprofessional. She loved working with the students and felt it was a great compromise, especially enjoying her roles at Tendoy Elementary and Highland High School, where she helped students requiring extra assistance to be successful. After Lynn passed away in March 2009, Susan's work at the school became even more important to her.

Susan was a woman of many talents and interests. She had a deep love for music and could often be found playing the piano (who doesn’t remember the rousing renditions of the first few stanzas of Sleigh Bells anytime a piano was within reach?) and she enjoyed singing. Her passion for music extended to her church callings, where she frequently served as the primary chorister. She and her daughter, Lisa, led an early morning choir at Tendoy Elementary for several years. Together with her sister Hilda, Susan also started a resident's choir at Beverly/Skyline Nursing Home, bringing joy to many seniors, including her mother. The joy it brought to the residents was all she needed to keep it going.

Susan was a member of Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) chapters off and on since 1965. Susan valued the friendships she made within the organization. She held various roles in local chapters and was actively involved in state planning committees. Achieving KOPS status and being named first runner-up in her category to the state queen in June 2018 was a lifelong goal that she was incredibly proud of.

Susan enjoyed crafting, developing skills in plastic canvas, cross-stitch, embroidery, crocheting, and she was a world champion at collecting recipes. Although she preferred others to do the cooking, she delighted in creating family cookbooks filled with favorite recipes from her extended family. She loved visiting with friends, listening to music, and attending live concerts, including performances by Roger Williams and Engelbert Humperdinck.

Susan was predeceased by her husband, Lynn, her parents, William and Nada Hill, her siblings Barbara, Clain, Earlene, Seth, Dee, Billy, Bonnie, and her son-in-law, Mark Burrie. She is survived by her children Lisa (Michael) Salazar, Eric (Carleen) Wellard, and Audrey Burrie; her grandchildren Stephen (Jessica) Salazar, Tamara Salazar, Adam (Elise) Gonzalez, Aiza Gonzalez, Jonathan Burrie, and Madison Burrie; her great-grandchildren; her brother Nei, her sisters Myrna and Hilda; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A viewing for Susan is scheduled for Monday, August 5, from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home (2005 S 4th Ave, Pocatello ID 83201). A private graveside service will be held for the family on Tuesday.

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