Happy Birthday, Susan. You are thought about often.

I was recently cleaning a closet and came across photos of opera scenes I participated in at SCC. I immediately thought of Susan Dolacky and looked her up. I am so sorry to hear of this amazing loss. She was such an encouragement to me in those formative years. I will never forget her.

I met Susan Dolacky in 1990 when I began attending Shoreline Community College.  She was one of my Voice Dance and Classic Voice  Instructors and adjudicated my vocal performances for both class and private voice classes. I also sang in  Opera Scene Workshops and  Musicals where she advised and taught me how to be a better singer and performer.  
     However, what was even more memorable was meeting her amazing and incredible family: her husband Dave and her two children Jon and Andrea. I babysat Jon and Andrea and helped out with yardwork whenever possible. These opportunities led to joining several family outings one of them being a day at the beach and another being a southern California vacation.
      Over the years, we corresponded with phone calls and letters. I looked forward to find out what was new with the Dolacky family and especially enjoyed receiving and reading the annual Christmas letter that Susan often wrote.  
     I believe the best gift Susan gave me was the potential she saw in me as  a musician and human being that I could not see in myself, and for that, I am truly grateful.
     I want to thank the Dolacky Family for being the great family they are and that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very difficult and painful time.   
 
    

I first met Susan in 1976 when I was hired at Shoreline for a one year replacement as a music theory and history teacher.  During that time, she asked me if I would be the accompanist for the musical "A Little Night Music" by Stephen Sondheim. "Sondheim," I sniffed.  "I don't think so."  "It pays $500." "Give me the score."  From that time on Sondheim and Susan became very important to me.  I worked with her on other shows until I moved to teach at Oregon State University in 1978, A wonderful person, teacher, and a loyal friend.  We remained friends ever since that time.  I miss her voice and laughter.  

Dave and family,
We wish you a holiday season filled with warm memories of Susan. 
Dale and Marsha Larson

Sue and I met in 1975 when I was hired at Shoreline Community college to teach dance and choreograph the musicals. She and I became friends in our first meeting. We shared the love of the performing arts.Working together on a show was always such fun!!
We shared our common experience of becoming mothers. I treasure the hours we spent talking together, taking our kids to Seattle Center or to the beach...so many ,many wonderful moments.
When I moved back to California after several years, we stayed in touch. Returning every summer, we resumed our long conversations over a glass of wine, taking our kids on adventures and sharing our thoughts and dreams. I miss her so much.She was a treasured friend. Keep singing Susan!!
love, Jo

I just want to thank you for adding so many pictures of Sue and the wonderful people in her life.  I truly enjoyed each and every shot.  What an incredible journey she had!

Brian

So difficult to write this.  Sue and I were "best friends" our senior year at Mt. Rainier.  In all honesty, I wanted it to be more than that, but she was adamant that she did NOT want another "steady."  (Lucky you, Dale!)  But I truly treasure the times we had together.  Later, when I met Diane, who would ultimately become my soul mate, Sue was so supportive.  Of all my high school classmates, Sue was the one I always kept in touch with.  When we visited her last December, I was so touched that she seemed to really remember Diane and me.  I will never forget her.   Dave, I hope we can stay in touch.  We'll meet you on the water!


Susan (Sue) was my first serious girlfriend waaay back at Pacific Jr. High in Des Moines, Wa. We "went steady" for around 2 years, and I got to know her parents very well. Sue convinced me to attend Central. She was always a friend to me, and getting to visit with her and Dave at our 50th reunion was a time I'll always remember.
Farewell dear friend. You'll always be remembered for your gracious kindness.

Sue was one of the most passionate, compassionate, dedicated, and selfless teachers I have ever known, committed always and above all else to nurturing the talents and opportunities of her students.  The legacy she leaves behind in building the vocal program at SCC is enormous.  As a colleague of hers in that program for nearly 20 years, she was also a great mentor, collaborator, ally, and a dear friend.  She will be greatly missed by myself and my spouse Marsha Thomas, and by so many others whose lives she touched.  Our deepest condolences to David and the rest of the family.

Fred Lokken


I first met Susan in 1974 in a music class. I also took voice lessons from her and participated in the college musicals and operas. I can still hear her wonderful laugh and see her blue eyes sparkling. I’ll never forget how she came to see Willy (Clark) the day after Willy’s husband (Al) died .  She was sitting on the floor, holding Willy and quietly singing a love song in her ear. I  think it was from Three Penny Opera. I have so many other mental pictures of times shared, and when I first became acquainted with her Christmas “Glug.”  Dave, Jon, Andrea and family, I’m so very sorry for your loss. I, too, believe she is singing up a storm and healed after her “long goodbye.”  Prayers and love from our family to yours. 
Jody and Larry. 

This is Nick's Mom, Kathy.   I wanted to add a bit to Nick's post. Susan Dolacky welcomed our son into the Shoreline Community College music department with open arms.  Her enthusiasm for Nick, and for all of her students was supreme.  The whole group of instructors at Shoreline Music became "family" for Nicholas. He has autism as well as being blind, so his accomplishment of an AA in Music Technology took a bit longer than the usual two years. He made many friends at Shoreline during his years as a student .  A fond memory involves a time when Nick needed to walk to another building on campus, and I was unable to accompany him that day. Nick knew the Music building well, and had memorized every room. Crossing the main road, traveling on asphalt paths with no curb to guide his long cane, was a scary matter.  Sue was worried for his safety and wanted to help. Student Services told her that as an "employee of the college", she  was not allowed to assist Nick, due to "liability issues."  This didn't stop her... she organized a group ...who just "happened to be walking to the same building, at the same time as Nick's appointment." They made sure he got to his test appointment and back to the Music building in one piece.    
Sue attended Yoga classes at the health club where I worked and we'd often chat- she'd ask about Nick... and then she stopped coming to class. 
After college Nick went on to work as a professional musician.  
His clients included many local Assisted Living places where he'd sing and play piano for the residents.His visits included monthly performances at Rosewood Court. He reported meeting Dave there one day. I  assumed he was there visiting one of his parents....I was stunned to hear that it was Susan.  
Nick says Susan recognized him and took pleasure in listening to his performances when he entertained at Rosewood Court.  
My sincere condolences to Sue's family- She is a beloved person to me, and to my son Nicholas Baker. We will never forget her.

As a friend, and former student of SCC.
I  fondly remember Ms Dolacky for not only her great work as a music professor, but also her love and kindness toward a blind individual, such as me.

Susan saw me first as a music student, and was not daunted by the fact I was blind. For example she arranged for students who had sight, to help me get across the stage in the theater where we performed various Opera workshops. 

The last place I saw Ms Dolacky, was at Rosewood Court.
And the last time I played and sang for her and Dave, was October first…

In closing, I’d like to say…Rest in peace Susan, thank you for accepting me as a talented musician.
May the light of God shine on you.
And as always, may the angels, rejoice, forever in song…


I met Susan at Shoreline Community College. She was my  first voice teacher and she taught me more than any other voice teacher.  She was tough and demanding, but also inspirational and encouraging.  She prepared me for my first recital, which was thrilling and terrifying all at the same time.  She had a huge smile and an unforgettable laugh, and always seemed to have something that she found amusing.  In my lessons they were usually combined with an eye roll and shaking her head back and forth... hmm...  Anyway.  She was so much more than a college professor.  When my life fell apart and I burst into tears during one of my lessons, she listened and consoled me.  The next day she called me into her office and told me I was moving into their spare bedroom until I could sort things out.  She was ready to give birth to Andrea any minute and the last thing she needed was another responsibility, but her and Dave invited me into their home and to be a part of their family.  She remained  a mentor, confidante, and friend for the rest of her life.   She loved her family to pieces and was always so proud of her kids and grand kids, and always did the eye roll, laugh, head shake thing when talking about Dave’s motorcycle.  I loved that she was so proud of her Scandinavian heritage and tossed out a hearty “Ya, sure, you betcha!” at just the right moment, usually  at Christmas when every square inch of the house was decorated and there were plates full of buttery goodness everywhere.  I looked forward to their annual Christmas letter, which came out religiously each year before New Years.   She has left an indelible mark on my heart, and  so many other’s.  She brought so much joy, laughter, and music to us all.  Dang it, this is hard... I love you Sue. Thank you for... gosh, everything. Music, love and laughter.  You have left quite a legacy. 

I will always remember this beautiful lady as the caring energetic woman who taught me so much in my time at Shoreline Community College. She was my voice teacher and music director for many projects. and I truly felt the care she had for me and so many of her students. She was an artist, inspiration, and cheerleader. She gave so much to us all and I am eternally grateful. Rest in peace Susan. Your student, Johanna


What a beautiful tribute to your mother, Andrea; your words are absolutely perfect. She loved you all so much.  And she has left an incredible legacy; a little part of her selflessness and goodness in ALL of you.  

I was blessed to cross paths with her all those years ago.  I learned from her, I laughed with her, and I will miss her tremendously.  She had a wonderful sense of humor, an unyielding approach to ethics and professionalism, and she adored her family.  

She touched us all with her talents, wisdom, and insights and we are all better for having known her.  What an incredible journey she had!  She will forever be in my memories.  Love to you all.


To the Dolacky‘s and everyone associated with Sue. I am so saddened by the loss of such a wonderful person. I was an associate with Sue for many of the years that we both taught at Shoreline. I can only say that because of Sue I had some wonderful successes and memories at Shoreline. All I can say, is when we get to this stage of our lives you only begin to have a complete understanding of your past and your values. I wish you the most in happiness and in good health. 

Susan was like a second mother to me. I loved her deeply, and am so thankful for the last few visits we had together before the pandemic. She still knew who I was at our final visit, although I had somehow in her mind become her former college roommate instead of former student❤️

Susan always believed in me, always celebrated my mountaintops and stood close during my deepest valleys. She knew I was meant for a career in music education sooner than I even really knew it myself. Her passion for instilling confidence in her singers as musicians, and for accepting each and every person who came through her studio door as a person who mattered and who had something special to give the world made a difference in the trajectory of SO MANY people, including me.

It was such a joy to transition from being her student, to truly being her friend and colleague. She was one of the people who I looked forward to seeing every time I came home from being away at school, and was always one of the first people I would call when any of my big life moments happened. We shared so much laughter and also many tears in the decades we knew one another. And I am thankful for it all. Thankful that God allowed this sweet, caring, smart, and tenacious woman to be part of my life tapestry. 

Dave, Andrea and Jon, the world lost a beautiful soul, and my heart aches with you. Thank you for sharing your wife and Mom with me all these years. Her legacy stretches far and wide through the people she loved and nurtured. I can only imagine how excited she is to be singing with the angels today, and I can’t wait to sing with her again in heaven someday.


I met her back in the Fall of 2005 when I auditioned for Choir at Shoreline Community College. She asked me if I was thinking about doing private voice as well. I told her no due to not having the funds for the extra cost. She put me on scholarship. The next 3 years, she pushed my voice and skills. I hit notes I didn't think I would ever reach being a Mezzo. She always found the most expressive songs for me so I could do what I love, perform. She roped me into opera, gave me exciting roles purely based on my talents. She constantly tried to sway my major, telling me it should be music. I remember always telling her that I would rather keep music as my passion, not my career. 

Susan was a gem of a human. You can tell she was passionate about music and her students. She will be greatly missed. 

I met Susan while I was still in high school. I spent a lot of time working with and alongside her husband, Dave. The passion for performance art is what connected us.

When I transitioned from high school to community college, I would have the privilege of learning from and working alongside Susan in vocal studies, the annual opera workshop and the annual musical. She pushed me to be a better performer and a better stage manager.

My favorite memory was at a pickup rehearsal for West Side Story. Susan was conducting and being young and slightly immature, we goofed off a but during the rehearsal. As the musical came to its sad conclusion, I entered the stage as Chino to shoot Tony. Instead of firing the cap gun once. I finished off the clip. It sure surprised the heck out of Susan but she gave me a smile and we both laughed. 

To Dave and the entire family, I send my deepest condolences and keep you all in my prayers.

Susan was the musical mother of countless singers, actors, musicians, all of whom will miss her for countless years.  She passed on my mother's birthday.  
My heart goes out to you and all in the concentric circles her life made better.
With love,  Marianne Weltmann

To the Family of Mrs. Dolacky, 

Years ago, as I sat down in a practice room at UC Santa Cruz with the intention to prepare for my final exam to finish college, I felt moved to take that time to write Mrs. Dolacky a letter instead of practicing.  In it, I let her know that before I walked into her classroom years prior, I could never have imagined being the first college graduate in my family, I could never have imagined taking the stage in a musical or opera and I could never have imagined  how life changing meeting Susan would be for me.

When I met her, I was poor, on my own and felt rather lost and unsupported in my desire to deepen my understanding of music. It  only took being in her class for a couple of weeks for me to feel like I had someone who authentically believed in me. For over two years, Susan's love and belief in me made me believe in myself. I began to sing,  to believe in my voice, to try new things like singing in musical theater and opera (something I'd never done before or even dreamed of), all because Susan said I could do it and I should. My first time on stage was as the lead in Fiddler on the Roof and that experience; working with her, Mr. Dolacky, the director Greg and the cast was one of the most profound of my life. Looking back, I have a sneaking suspicion that she had something to do with my casting me, someone who'd never even been in a chorus, in the lead.

She was like a second mother to me and so many others. She once gave me a scolding for not letting her know I was having trouble getting seen by a doctor (no insurance) and called on a friend who is a doctor and had me seen right away. And she was always there with a hug and to tell you in her way that she was proud of you.

The gift one human can give another by simply believing in them is a powerful thing. Susan gave me that gift and it has been my guiding light ever since. I can't imagine being where I am and who I am today if it wasn't for her and I will never forget her.

OBITUARY

Susan Kay Dolacky

June 4, 1948 – October 2, 2020

Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery

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