Susan Ann Black

Susan “Sue” Ann Black (Lorenzen), passed on February 23, 2024. Born in Washington, D.C. on February 17, 1941, she was born and raised there in the nation’s capital. She was involved in Girl Scouts and the Daughters of the American Revolution growing up and took full advantage of experiencing the richness of government and historical opportunities of the Washington, D.C. area. After high school she attended Radford University, an all-girl school at the time, and earned her Baccalaureate in Education. After working briefly in the Maryland Schools around the D.C. area she took off for the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, to earn her Master’s degree in Librarianship. While there she worked briefly in the Bellevue School District and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. Upon completion of her Master’s degree she took a turn working as a Department of Defense civilian teacher and was assigned to Germany teaching at the dependent schools associated with US installations in the area for her tour.

In Germany she met Claude Black, jr. (“Butch”) of Somers, IA. He was a missile technician in the Air Force and became her husband and 52+ year companion and confidant. Together they enjoyed touring all about Europe while station on the continent. Upon Butch’s discharge from the Air Force Sue and Butch married and settled in the area of Seattle, WA, where she had previously attended school and they really came to love the area as they continued to enjoy adventures exploring the Pacific Northwest.

Sue worked her entire career in the Bellevue School District as an elementary school librarian. While she may have worked early in her career at other schools she was primarily assigned to Clyde Hill and then Bennett elementary schools. She thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of developing the library collection and encouraging the imagination and curiosity of the youth she encountered. Among her most treasured experiences were the field trips she was able to take with students. Particular examples are when she went with her son’s entire sixth grade class to the Washington, D.C. area and toured all around the historical places and museums, including meeting briefly with then Washington State Senator Jackson on the steps of the Capital; and a few years later going with her son’s Boy Scout Troup to the Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, VA. Always looking to provide opportunities to learn and grow – and have fun along the way…

In retirement Sue enjoyed getting out and experiencing the Pacific Northwest, and other parts of the country and world, through walking. She was involved in various walking clubs in the area and often would investigate what walking tours were available in the various places where she was going. She took advantage of this to enjoy walks all throughout Arizona, the Midwest of the US, England and the UK, and much of Washington and Oregon.

She was the sponsor for the USNS Howard O. Lorenzen (TAGM-25), a Missile Range Instrumentation Ship named for her father. She was very proud when she christened the ship in Pascagoula, MS in 2010. Her father had been an electrical engineer for the Navy throughout World War II and Sue was immensely proud of him.

Sue’s greatest joys were derived from her family, and perhaps most energetically that indescribable moment when looking into a person’s eyes and observing that ‘click’ where it is clear that understanding has come into being. As time passed she cherished any moment when she could spend even a moment with her boys, or their families, and friends.

Susan is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Tim and Naomi Wine, and Dale and Ari Esterkin; as well as her grandchildren Summer Dio (Black), Jake, Timothy, and Benjamin; and great-grandchildren Miles Dio, Koda and Aida Mae Black.

She has been preceded in death by her husband, Claude.

Memorial services are being held off until a later time, the viewing is scheduled for Thursday, February 7 from 2 to 6 PM, and Friday February 8 from 9 to 11 AM. A family burial ceremony will follow.

If you choose a memorial please consider Aldersgate United Methodist Church of Bellevue, WA (Aldersgate Church – A Vibrant and Inclusive Christian Community (aldersgate-church.org)), St Jude’s Hospital (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital).