Susan Louise Hartoon

Susan was born in San Antonio, Texas, on November 13, 1945, and was adopted by the most loving parents Hardy and Nell Vanderpool. She and her family later moved to Dallas, Texas in the late 1950s. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and went on to attend the University of Houston in 1964, where she graduated with a degree in Education. Susan met her husband, Harlan M. Hartoon, at the University of Houston, and they got married in the campus chapel in 1969. After teaching in a classroom with over 30 students for a couple of years, she decided to return to the University of Houston to obtain her Master's degree in Special Education to have more one-on-one interaction with her students.

Susan and her husband Harlan enjoyed a period they referred to as "Before Kids," which lasted from 1969 to 1976. They welcomed their daughter Stacy in 1976 and their son Ray in 1978. After purchasing their new home in Spring, Texas, Susan chose to stay home with their children until they were both old enough to attend school. Susan then began working for Klein ISD in 1983, where she became an Educational Diagnostician until her retirement in 2003.

In addition to her remarkable career in education, Susan enjoyed traveling with Harlan in their 40 ft Motorhome since 2004. Susan was the co-pilot and went on six trips, each lasting six months. They visited 49 states and six provinces in Canada, covering approximately 70,000 miles with two trips to Alaska. When not traveling in North America, Susan enjoyed hobbies such as watercolor art, beading, playing Mahjong, and reading mystery novels.

Susan is survived by her husband, Harlan M. Hartoon, and her son Ray L. Hartoon.

Susan was preceded in death by her daughter Stacy Hartoon, her father Hardy Vanderpool, and her mother Nell Vanderpool.

A celebration of life for Susan will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM at Brookside Funeral Home - Champion, 3410 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, TX 77068. Following the celebration of life will be a catered reception from 5:15 PM to 7:15 PM.