Family Owned & operated since 1941
Vineland Phone #:
(905) 562-5454
Tribute Wall
Plant a tree in memory of Susan
An environmentally friendly option
Loading...
F
Ferne M. Holmes posted a condolence
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Dear Brian & Family ~ Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Sue ~ She was truly a friendly & delightful person & she will be missed ~ We were devastated to learn just today of the passing of a such wonderful person ,daughter, wife, mother & grandmother...so this is why the on line condolence just now ....Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time ...Thinking of you in friendship ~ Gary & Ferne Holmes
N
Nancy Fenton donated to HOSPICE NIAGARA
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
So sorry for your loss. I participated in Sue's art lessons many years ago.
Please wait
G
Gayle Carter (SGCS) posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
So sorry for your family's loss. I thoughts are with you during this time.
D
Darlene lit a candle
Monday, September 16, 2019
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle.png
G
Gene Elenor and family posted a condolence
Monday, September 16, 2019
Please know that your friends are here for you,
sending our thoughts and prayers to your family at this time
Gene Elenor Jamie Nicole Jennifer
M
Mike and Cindy Holmes posted a condolence
Sunday, September 15, 2019
We wish to send our deepest sympathy to you Brian and your family during this difficult time.
(Southdale neighbor)
S
Sylvia Droughan posted a condolence
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Peter: so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear sister. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
L
Liz Roy posted a condolence
Saturday, September 14, 2019
September 12, 2019
Vancouver Island, West Coast
Dear Sue:
I received the news of your passing early this morning on the coast via email from your ‘bestie’ JoAnne. She is certainly that in all ways. Thankfully she has kept me ‘in the loop’ (one of your expressions). And thankfully I have been honoured to also be one of your ‘besties’ even after I moved away, way back in 1996 to be with my new love and partner Gil, who has been my husband for almost ten years but together now for 23.
I met you, Sue when you taught folk painting at the Mennonite church on Baraniuk Street. The program was called ‘Time Out’ and it certainly was a time for relaxing, learning a craft and being able to safely drop off the kiddies to a caring sitter downstairs while we women were upstairs having a great time. Yes, we learned a lot but we also gained so much by making new friends and Sue, you turned out to be one of them.
Thank heaven for that!
I had been through a terrible illness the year before and when, after 3 months, I came out on the other side, I decided to clean house and get rid of the people in my life who were not good for me; in other words, people who crossed a personal boundary but who were also bad actors. So, when I met you, I was very wary, very watchful like a bouncer in a night club. One wrong move and out you go!
I was at Creations by Helen and coincidentally you were there, too. We were both looking for supplies for a painting class in Thorold South taught by Wendy Pierce. We were both signed up for that class and on the same night. Coincidental, right? I don’t think so.
We began driving together and through that became good friends. And believe me, I tried very hard to keep you away. I did not want this person to cross the new boundary I had created. But you knew what you did, right, Sue? You looked at those boundaries and with one swipe of you sweet hand, you swept them away. I can just hear you saying, “Oh c’mon, you’re my friend and that’s all there is to it!” Did I have a choice? No way.
All our boys were approximately the same age and in the summer, you would call me up in the morning and say, “bring over your painting supplies; we’ll paint and the boys can swim.” There was always snacks, either she provided or I brought some over. I didn’t want to take advantage of her good-heartedness so I stopped coming. The phone rang and there was you on the other end of the line. “Where are you? Get over here!” When I explained my dilemma, again you swept it all away, told me how silly and get my arse over there with the boys.
Even when my –then husband and I showed up unannounced and you were hosting a family party, you would hand us a plate, told us to help ourselves and join in. That was you, Sue. Never any boundaries to your generosity, kindness and when I needed a caring ear, especially during the time of my marriage separation, when even people I thought were close friends, even family, deserted me, you never did. You never judged and you listened. You were there, Sue. And to the best of my ability I tried to be there for you, too.
When I moved to British Columbia to be with my new partner, Gil, I thought, “that’s it, there goes my good friend, Sue.” But no, we kept in touch by phone and sometimes when we came East we shared wonderful visits like no time had passed between. There was never any sense of strangeness, of distance. And when I went through a bad experience with people I thought were my friends, you listened. Hour upon hour, you listened.
Then the phone call when you explained that you were struck with a rare blood cancer. I took in part of this but the other part I waved away. “No, this is Sue we’re talking about. She’s special, she’s my friend and she’ll get through this with flying colours!” And you almost did. You kept me ‘in the loop’ and when you told me your markers were down, that everything was looking good, I celebrated. “It’s a miracle!” But no surprise there; this is Sue we’re talking about. This is you. Your sweetness, your smile was the thing that smashed the cancerous kryptonite. I imagined you as this Super Woman battling the enemy within and with the force of your indomitable will, winning the victory against vile illness. Well, you did, for a while.
I was shocked to learn you had lost the muscle use of your legs because I remember those legs so well. You sitting on the edge of the pool in your bikini, a slouchy sun hat on your head, smiling and languidly, those long, beautiful legs happily twirling your feet in the water. You and me in the water before the kids were out of school, when the weather was good and we’d talk and talk at the edge of the pool. Then Friday nights, we’d often go to JoAnne’s place on my street. She had a pool, too, and the talk continued with the three of us at the patio table, drinking wine or rye and Coke while the boys splashed and acted up.
A picture was sent of you in a motorized wheelchair, working in the kitchen then your phone call saying you were gradually learning to walk again. I was not surprised, never surprised. This was Sue, after all.
Well, everyone knows the rest. The shocking Facebook announcement that the cancer had won in the end and you were coming home to ‘go home’. I still refused to take it in and because I was no longer physically there and no longer could contact you, I relied upon JoAnne, your ‘bestie’ to fill me in on ‘the rest of your story’.
But no, it has not ended with us, Sue. For many years we were into gardening together. When I finished my university course in April you and I would go to the nurseries and buy plants, and even sometimes cajoled them into selling to us – cheaply – those plants that were on their way out. Well, not to us! We’d bring these plants home, water them and love them until they came back to bright and vibrant life.
Well, that’s you, Sue. Where you will always be. In my garden. I won’t need to water you but I will love you, cherish you and that’s where you will always come back to me - in vibrant life. I love you so much, my dear Sue. Love, Liz (Roy)
I
Ingrid Helene Kroeker posted a condolence
Saturday, September 14, 2019
There are no words to explain how I feel about my dear cousin's passing. My heart goes out to the immediate family in one of the most difficult time in their lives. We can take heart to know she fought the good fight and showed her grace, love and strength to the very end. She was truly an example to all of us. RIP dear Sue.
S
Sandra Sgambato posted a condolence
Saturday, September 14, 2019
I can't remember the year Susan and Peter moved in next door, but I was very young. I remember her working at Kentucky Fried Chicken during high school. I remember when she started dating Brian. She was always a bright shining light, and always smiling. She would drop by to visit me t work until a year or two ago. I have such fond memories of her. My heart goes out to Brian and the family at this very difficult time. You all have always been like family. You were so nice to the little girl next door all those years ago.
C
Caroline Barrow lit a candle
Friday, September 13, 2019
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle.png
L
Lynn Graham posted a condolence
Friday, September 13, 2019
I will always remember how happy Sue would be to see me, even though we didn't know each other that well. She made me feel like I had known her forever. Such a nice lady to talk to. Condolences to Bryan and family.
D
Debby Srigley posted a condolence
Friday, September 13, 2019
Goodbye to a wonderful friend and teacher. She will be missed. Condolences to her family.
D
Dorothea Harwood posted a condolence
Friday, September 13, 2019
Dear Brian and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Sue was such an amazing, loving, positive ray of sunshine! I painted with her for years and was thankful for our Monday nights together! May you find comfort that she is with the Lord and smiling down on you.
M
Miriam Van Geest posted a condolence
Friday, September 13, 2019
We will never forget you Sue...beautiful and genuine friend.
J
Jim & Martha Klobucar posted a condolence
Friday, September 13, 2019
Dear Brian & Family
In this sorrowful time, we would like to extend to you and your family our
deepest and most sincere condolences.
May fond memories of Sue bring you comfort during this hard time in your life.
With our Deepest
Jim & Martha Klobucar
M
Mike and Angie Labreche posted a condolence
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Brian and family at this difficult time .
J
Jeff & Anita Friesen posted a condolence
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Our Deepest Condolences to the entire family. May God comfort you at this difficult time.
C
Cheryl Coens posted a condolence
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Sue was amazing woman and the world is a better place for having her. I am honoured to have had her share her talents, her home and heart over the years. The world needs more genuinely good women like her. My heartfelt condolences to her greatest love, her family.
S
Sonya Kirchlechner posted a condolence
Thursday, September 12, 2019
R.I.P. Sue, I will truly miss our girl time at toll painting.
Love,
Edward, Sonya, Peyton, Edward Jr, and Arya