Susan Tomita

Susan Tomita moved on to her next adventure upon passing on October 25, 2024. Not surprisingly she approached this transition with the utmost strength and grace and faith. She was born January 10, 1954 to Kazuo and Helen Tomita. Her professional credentials were exemplary having completed college at Stanford University and law school at Santa Clara law school. After clerking for the California Court of Appeals, she immediately embarked upon a life of service working for the National Indian Youth Council and then as an associate and then partner with Luebben, Hughes, Tomita and Borg practicing Indian Law. She then focused on Elder Law as a shareholder with Tomita & Simpson and in her solo practice. Her professional accolades are many including former Chairperson of the Elder Law Section of the NM Bar Association, the NM Bar Association Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services to Persson's with Disabilities, a member of the Special Needs Alliance, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the NM Estate Planning Council. Susan was on the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society and the Indian Pueblo Legal Services and she served as Chairperson of the Indian Law Section of the NM Bar Association. She is a co-author of the Handbook for Guardians and Conservators and Alternatives to Guardianships and Conservatorships. She is listed in Best Lawyers in America in practice areas Trusts and Estates and Elder Law, in Martindale Hubbell’s Directory of Preeminent Attorneys and was named by Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year for 2015 for Elder Law and 2016 for Trusts and Estates. As remarkable as her professional career was, Susan was equally devoted to her work within the Catholic church. She was a member of the Parish of St. Joseph’s on the Rio Grande and served three terms on the Pastoral Council. She also worked in the Ministry of Loaves and Fish and St. Vincent de Paul. She was a frequent facilitator for programs in Faith and Engaging Spirituality. She served on several committees for the Archdiocese including the Archdiocese Campaign for Human Development Local Advisory Committee. She was a pilot member of the Just Faith program and served as a program facilitator for that program’s Crossing Borders, Faith and Immigration Justice. She served in the Shrine of St. Bernadette’s Social Concerns Ministry and most recently served on the Archdiocese Social Concerns Ministry with the Justice, Peace and Life Commission. She received the Archdiocese of Santa Fe’s St. Francis award in2006 and the Bernadette Institute's Mother Teresa Award in 2005. Susan connected with her Native religion as well on her spiritual journey participating in Native sweat lodge ceremonies and studying and following the teachings of Native leaders such as Black Elk. Consistent with her strong conviction that faith called upon her to serve those less fortunate, she was selfless in her commitment to organizations that served those less fortunate. She served on the Board of Directors and as President of St. Joseph’s Community Health and in that role was instrumental in the passage of the NM Constitutional Amendment making early childhood education a constitutional right. She also served on the boards of the Alzheimers Association and Friends in Time. She also worked with Francis House and Casa de Communidad providing leadership, legal services, and street outreach. She was co-founder of Crossroads for Women serving women with co-occurring mental health and substance disorders in the criminal justice system and their children. Susan’s professional and charitable activities are an inspiration to us all. But to her friends and family, Susan will also be known as a devoted friend, a wonderful story teller, an engaging conversationalist, a source of endless funny stories, a steel trap memory, and a fiercely devoted mom. She was empathetic, caring, ethical, hardworking, unassuming, modest, generous in every way, and welcoming to all. Susan is survived by her son Tony Tomita, her sister, Lisa Oshiro, and her brother Roy Tomita, and a countless number of friends who will miss her dearly. A Rosary will be held on December 10, 2024 at 8:30 followed by a Funeral Mass at 9:00 both at St. Joseph’s on the Rio Grande. A Celebration of Life will be held on January 10,2025 at 5:00 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.