Susan Marie Tobias

Susan Marie Tobias, nearing her 60th birthday, died of cancer on March 22, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. She was born in Cambridgeshire, England and moved to Houston, Texas soon after. Susan having dual citizenship chose American citizenship before her 21st birthday. Although she spent her early years in Texas and Arizona, she considered Denver home. Susan enjoyed a diverse professional career: Bookkeeper, accountant, trainer for implementing software programs, Boulder School of Massage; Metro Pre-Med - the professional path from her University of Houston Bachelor's in Business Administration and Accounting degree to her present music-filled life was as varied as it was serendipitous. Starting her career at American Natural Resources in Houston, Susan was then offered a position as an oil and gas accountant at Forest Oil in Denver. Her first introduction to teaching was at Gathers Software, where she trained users on utilizing oil and gas software. During that time, Susan discovered massage therapy and, in 1986, completed the massage therapy program at the Boulder School of Massage. In an effort to better help her clients, she enrolled in the Pre-Med program at Metro State/U of Colorado at Denver, where she completed the scientific requirements to apply to medical school while volunteering at Children's and Craig hospitals. In the application process, Susan realized that she could be of more service as a massage therapist; this has served as a wonderful compliment to her teaching career. Another area Susan always wanted to explore was music; she began as a volunteer in the band program at St. Ann's Episcopal School, thus launching her music career! After teaching there for a number of years, Susan was hired as Highline Academy's K-8 general music teacher. There she implemented such programs as guitar, before-school band, Shakespeare while serving on the playground and garden committees. At Highline, she became a part of an incredible community of talented and dedicated faculty and staff. Susan's cancer diagnosis prompted an overwhelming offering of love and support from Highline's Board of Directors, its administration, teachers, students and parents. Over the past months, this generosity of spirit has extending to so many who have reached out to her. No greater gift than the caring of others. Susan's musical journey included a certification in Suzuki piano and classes in Suzuki violin. She played clarinet in the Denver Concert Band and the Souza Band. She was a rehearsal assistant with Young Voices of Colorado and also taught reed sectionals to students in the Colorado Honor Band. Susan loved travel, including Japan, Egypt, and Israel, contra-dancing, bike riding and attending the Colorado Symphony. Susan's life was filled with learning, exploration, and sharing her love of life and is honored to have been able to achieve that . . . working with children. Susan is survived by her best canine companions, Sasha and Sophie; her father Ben Tobias and step-mother Phyllis Webb Tobias of Willis, Texas; her brother Donald Tobias of Houston, Texas; her brother Paul Tobias and sister-in-law Michelle Tobias of Austin, Texas; her sister Elizabeth Tobias Riley and brother-in-law Jack Riley of Montgomery, Texas; her step-sister Nicki Webb Jones and step-brother-in-law Ernest Jones of Dallas, Texas; nephews and nieces with whom she shared a very special bond. Susan was preceded in death by her mother Sarah Anne Windrow Tobias of Orange, Texas. Susan's family would like to thank the Highline Academy community for all of the love and support they shared with Susan and to the physicians and staff at the University of Colorado Hospital (Anschutz) who cared for her throughout her illness. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at Grace Methodist Church on April 23, 2016, located at 5131 East Yale Circle, Denver, Colorado 80222. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your favorite music-related charity, Highline Academy, or the charity of your choice. Please share memories of Susan at the Guestbook link below.