Susan Rana Yaw

Susan Rana Yaw of Ephrata passed away on August 2, 2016, surrounded by her family and friends in the home of her parents in Dixie.

On July 18, 1973, in Walla Walla, this precious little girl was born. Little Susan loved to learn; she breezed through local elementary schools and, in 1991, graduated from Walla Walla Highs School. She earned her associated degree at Walla Walla Community College, then on for her bachelor’s degree at Eastern Washington University. Never give up! was her motto, and while working to help defray the cost of education, she completed her masters degree at EWU. Susan embodied the phrase “Education Professional,” earning the honor of being a national board-certified teacher, a national board facilitator, and pro teach facilitator.

For Susan, it was all about the kids; she wrote stories for them, developed a store where her students sold books, and learned marketing skills before entering second grade. Susan taught in Quincy School District for 17 years; 15 of those years, she taught first grade. While fighting a courageous battle with cancer, she continued her education career as president of the North Franklin Uniserve and working tirelessly with teachers and administrators on new state evaluation processes.

Susan is survived by her parents, Bob and Helen Yaw; brother, Rob (Kristen) Yaw; nieces, Ranae (Jon) Cibart and Zoe Yaw; nephew, Brayden Yaw; great-nephew, Eli Cibart; as well as numerous aunts and uncles. She will also be missed by her beloved dogs, Eleven and Mac. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Clifford and Gladys Yaw, Morris and Jule Vance; niece, Stephenie Yaw.

Viewing will be Sunday, August 7, 2016, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. There will be a graveside service on Monday, August 8, 2016, at Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens in College Place at 11 a.m.

Donations can be made to the Susan Yaw Scholarship Fund that has been set up to fund National Board Candidates. Make checks payable to Susan Yaw Memorial Fund Scholarship. Donations can be made at any Chase Bank or through the funeral home.