Susan M. Bergtholdt

Susan MacDonald Bergtholdt
May 2, 1947 - April 10, 2011
Resident of San Jose
Susan MacDonald Bergtholdt, 63, passed away in San Jose April 10th, but her Passion, Inspiration and Encouragement of others will be felt for generations to come. The devoted daughter, wife, sister and aunt was a tireless and multi-talented Native Californian, who thrived in bringing out the best in everyone and making her creative projects magic and memorable.
The University of California at Berkeley History graduate, with a MA from San Jose State University, especially loved helping students shine in her 30 years of teaching at DeVoss, Cinnabar and Noddin Elementary Schools as well as Union Middle School. Whether it was changing a life by discovering a learning disability; having a class paint murals on the history of Santa Clara Valley throughout a cafeteria or building confidence so kids would exceed their expectations, Sue thrived in seeing her students develop. She kept in touch with some of them and got the satisfaction of following their flourishing careers.
A Patriot, who was a descendant of American Revolution Hero Rev. James Caldwell, Sue did an incredible job preserving history. The 28-year proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution wrote and illustrated several books on history, spoke throughout the state and created the Union School District's nationally-recognized "Dial-A-Story," that's been in existence 30 years. More than 250,000 calls were made in its first two years and Sue helped set up similar programs throughout the country.
Her passion and dedication to the restoration of Casa Grande, a National Historic Landmark in New Almaden, part of Almaden Quicksilver County Park, 13 miles south of downtown San Jose, was phenomenal. Over the past few years, she spent thousands of hours, her own personal money and talent for fundraising to spearhead a California State Society DAR effort to get statewide donations of period furniture and fixtures, allowing visitors to re-live history at the spectacular residence of the manager for the mines, which produced more mineral wealth than any other mine in California History.
For her unbelievable efforts, Sue was just selected, "Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department Volunteer of the Year" and was to receive the prestigious honor at a dinner April 26th.
Somehow, Sue found time to write and illustrate several books, such as the acclaimed "Do You Know San Jose?" (used by the San Jose Unified School District and the subject of an hour long live special interview with Sue on KCBS News Radio and a feature in the San Jose Mercury News); "Do You Know Santa Clara Valley?", "San Jose: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," "The Earthquake of 1989" (based on where the Union Middle School's 1,000 students, teachers and others were when the quake hit); "Easy Art For Children," "Pupil Puzzlers," "A Glimpse Into the History of Our Whaling Station's Parlor," and "Bear Learns About Our Yesterdays." She had been working on another "Do You Know?" book about New Almaden and the Quicksilver Mines.
Sue unselfishly devoted time helping others trace their genealogy. For decades, she created scrapbooks featuring a variety of news articles from different publications showing what was going on the day a person was born (these were one-of-a-kind lifetime treasures). She spoke at schools on the "History Of Quilting," even sharing the quilt her great-grandmother used while coming to California in a covered wagon in 1853. Her historical work has been featured at the Library of Congress and the California State Library.
Sue, former Regent of the Los Gatos Chapter of DAR, past DAR District Director and Chairman of DAR's California State Room in Washington, D.C., was the first CSSDAR State Chairman of Historic Preservation. For her many Historical Preservation efforts, Sue this month was selected to receive the Daughters of the American Revolution's "National Historic Preservation Award."
A Past President of the UC Berkeley Alumni Club of Santa Clara County, Sue made it her lifetime goal to make her city, her county, her state and her nation a better place by showing everyone that knowledge and preservation of the past is essential to understanding the present and the future.
As a lifetime member of the Prytanean Alumnae Association, she did Oral History interviews of Bay Area Pioneers for the Bancroft Library. She led Walking Tours of San Jose, Santa Clara County and New Almaden for decades and received the "Rosalie M. Stern Award" from UC Berkeley for her outstanding service to community. She also received the San Jose Bicentennial Project Award.
Sue was named "Teacher of the Year" at Union Middle School, "Junior Achievement Educator of the Year," "Outstanding Volunteer" (from the California School Volunteer Partnership) and "San Jose Police Wife of the Year."
She was a lifetime athlete, playing on the UC Berkeley Tennis Team, and a current member on the Almaden Country Club Tennis and Golf Teams. She also was a champion bowler.
But far above any of these numerous honors and accolades, nothing meant more to Sue than her family. She would do anything to assist her family. Sue spent many years taking care of her elderly parents, allowing them to remain in their home until the end. She was the loving wife and partner to Doug, her husband of nearly 40 years. They enjoyed working on projects together, playing sports together, throwing Olympic-Themed Parties for their friends, and encouraging each other to new heights. They especially loved to play with their prize basset, Clyde. Sue also inspired her brother, Craig, helping him research and proof the 17 books he has written. And she loved and was proud of her nephews, Chris MacDonald, and Christopher Bergtholdt and niece Emily Bergtholdt.
In her life, Sue epitomized the old saying, "Enjoy the Journey. The Journey is the Reward." What a journey she had!
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS: There will be a Visitation from 3 to 6pm, Sunday, April 17th at Darling Fischer's Chapel of the Hills, 615 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos.
A "Celebration of Sue's Amazing Life," followed by a Reception, will be at 10am, April 18th at Almaden Country Club, 6663 Hampton Drive. A Private Entombment for the family will be at Los Gatos Memorial Park.
In lieu of Flowers, the Family recommends Donation Checks be made out to: "SCC Parks and Recreation Department (In memo write, "Sue Bergtholdt Memorial Fund") and mailed to: Casa Grande, Attn: Julie Lee, 21350 Almaden Road, San Jose, CA 95120.