Susan Lynn Tokar

Susan Lynn Tokar passed away peacefully at home in Petaluma, on December 5, 2010 with her family close at hand after a determined fight with cancer. Born December 3, 1945 to Harold and Betty Shandler in New York City, New York, Susan attended Ryder College in Trenton, New Jersey and graduated from Queens College, New York with a Master's in Early Childhood Education. In 1968 she married husband Richard Tokar and in 1975 they moved to Petaluma. Susan is survived by her son Russ Tokar, daughter-in-law Nikki Crawford Tokar; sister Jane Shandler, brother-in-law John Seager; nephew Ian Seager, niece Emily Seager; and an extended family of friends. Proceeded in death by Richard, her husband of 35 years and her parents. Susan was a pre-school teacher and advocate of early childhood education. She taught pre-school children for 42 years, first as a Head Start teacher in Harlem, New York. Susan touched the lives of thousands of children and their parents during the 35 years she was Head Teacher/Program Director at Children's Workshop Preschool in the Petaluma Fairgrounds. Susan could rarely go to the grocery store, or downtown without running into a child or a parent of a child who had been in her class. Recently, she mentored first time Santa Rosa Junior College students through the Puente Program. Susan adored her family, art, gardening, travel, dancing, great shoes and her Wednesday evening pub quiz trivia. She had a youthful, playful spirit with friends young and old. Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Susan's Life on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Taps Restaurant, Fireside Room, 206 Kentucky Street (corner of Washington and Kentucky). Check her Facebook page for more details. Memorials gifts can be directed to her passion, Children's Workshop Preschool, Inc., P.O. Box 314, Petaluma, CA 95953.