Sometimes in history talented educators make their mark in arenas other than the classroom. This is the case with Sue Burns, a math teacher who became an integral and beloved part of the San Francisco Giants franchise.

Sue was born in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 9, 1950. She earned her degree at California State University, East Bay, located in Hayward, California. Following her college graduation, she accepted a position as a math teacher at the Woodside Priory School, a private coeducational Catholic prep school located in Portola, Valley, California. She was employed there from 1983 to 1992.

Sue met and married Harmon Burns, an investor in a financial group that purchased the San Francisco Giants baseball team in 1992. Sadly, Harmon died of heart failure in 2006. Upon his death, Sue became the majority shareholder of the team and assumed the role of senior general partner. The former schoolteacher was extremely popular within the Giants organization. She attended almost every game, and often sat with Nikolai Bonds, the son of Giants outfielder Barry Bonds. In addition, Sue often traveled with the team when they went on the road and to Arizona for spring training.

In July, 2009, Sue discovered she had lung cancer. She succumbed to the disease a week later, on July 19, at the age of 58.  “Sue was a remarkable mother, grandmother, and friend whose loving and nurturing spirit touched everyone in the Giants family,” expressed Giants official Bill Neukom at the time of her passing. “Her unwavering loyalty to her beloved orange and black could be felt throughout the entire organization.”

To read more about this amazing lady, click on The Mercury News.