Susan Halloway

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