On January 19,2023 Susan Jean Hoskins Peterson died uexpectedly of natural causes. Her daughter shared a quote from Middlemarch : "But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs."

Susan was born and raised in Billings in an inspiring setting which set the stage for her artwork and her nurturing the creative process of her students.  She was close to her grandmother, was a business owner, caring, and she had a love for andventure and the outdoors.  Her art mediums were clay, wood and leather.  Growing up in Billings and is inpiration to her sketches; as she traveled her artwork reflected that as well.  

Susan excelled in ballet and played endless games of baseball with neighbors.  Her Mother and father both died while she was in high school  Soon after she lost a brother in a car crash.

After graduating from Montana State University., Susan earned her masters degree in art therapy at Pratt Institute of the Arts, where she studied under Arthur Robbins, emeritus professor of creative arts and therapy.  She met her former husband at a rodeo in Red Lodge and moved to Escondido CA.  Eventually they returned to Montana where they created a thriving pottery business located in a small town in the Rockies.; Here Susan incorporated the surrounding topography into her glazes,  She had a brick kiln so large that a small child could stand inside it.  

Susan spent time perfecting her ceramics skills as an artist-in-residence at the Archie Bray Foundation, a ceramic arts institute that inspires artists to break the boundaries of design.  Significant mentors in her life were Rudy Autio and Ben Steele.

Susan taught art for many years in the Billings Public Schools where she inspired students by encouraging them to draw outside the lines.  In addition she threw pots at the Red Lodge clay centre..  After retiring she worked at Build-a-Bear where she enjoyed the fellowship of her colleagues.  In addition Susan continued to explore her favourite places in Monana...the Beartooth Highway, to Yellostone, through Paradise Valley and Chico.  Susan felt her work as an educator was her greatest legacy.

She is survived by her daughter.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

This is an edited memory of Susan's life.  Legacy.com has the entire memory. dw

Micholotti Sawyer or Legacy.com