SUSAN RUSSELL

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SUSAN RUSSELL After many years of bravely living under the shadow of progressive neurodegenerative disease, Susan Louise Marjorie Russell died peacefully at Riverview Hospital on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Beloved wife of Tony, devoted mother of Carolyn and Peter and doting grandma of Fredrick, Susan was truly a Renaissance woman who approached life with passion, curiosity and a caring heart. Born in Toronto on December 26, 1945, the eldest of three daughters of Marion and the late David Lowes, Susan chose a career in Social Work, earning her MSW from the University of Toronto in 1967. Upon graduating, she landed a job with Big Sisters of Toronto. While on a ski holiday in Vermont she met Tony, who became the love of her life. They married in 1970 and, in 1975, moved to Winnipeg. It was a wonderful, hectic and happy time. Susan was a proud mother who encouraged her children to be independent and fearless, a loving wife who was proud of Tony's accomplishments, and a respected professional in her own right. Always an intense advocate for children and their families, she made everyone with whom she worked feel special . She was a social worker with The Child Guidance Clinic - Winnipeg School Division, then moved to St. Boniface School Division, but it was at Pembina Trails that she co-created GEMS, a school-based program to help children develop coping skills to deal with separation and divorce. As well, Susan was instrumental in the creation of the Parenting Handbook, a resource manual still in use. As a result of this collaborative effort she was awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Council For Exceptional Children in 2007, an accomplishment of which she was especially proud. Yet despite her very busy schedule, Susan always found time to be a concerned neighbour, a loyal and sympathetic friend, and an unabashed cat fancier. A voracious reader, sports enthusiast, music lover, bridge player, horticulturist and gourmet cook, Susan filled her home with love and laughter, and created happy memories of family dinners, holiday celebrations and parties with friends. In 1991, a devastating neurological diagnosis changed her life but never dampened her spirit. With the unwavering support of her husband and family, Susan continued to make the most of each day with dignity and courage, despite the many challenges she faced. She especially loved being with her grandson Fredrick, teaching him chess and sharing with him her love of piano. Along with her immediate family, Susan is survived by her mother and sisters Barbara MacDonald (Glenn) and Joanne Goldberg (Martin). Everyone is welcome to attend a celebration of Susan's Life from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on May 23 at The Winter Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Winnipeg Foundation. Funeral Home and Crematorium 774-7474 Condolences: www.bardal.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 12, 2012