SUSAN LINDA MCLAREN

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SUSAN LINDA MCLAREN (nee THOMAS) September 19, 1930 - February 27, 2017 Susan McLaren passed away - organizing and in charge to the end - family by her side. Susan put people first. She devoted her entire life to cherishing family and friends. She preserved the types of relationships that often fall by the wayside as life moves on. Classmates from school, co-workers, her children's piano teacher, and 1960s-era neighbours and square dancers remained among her closest friends. Every week Susan arranged coffee or lunch with family and friends. She knew the importance of staying in touch, and some of her quick phone calls to say hi could easily exceed an hour. She didn't have time for Facebook; she was too busy being with people. And we were the richer for it. Unequivocally first in Susan's life was her family. She believed the bonds of a loving family can withstand any challenge. Her love was unconditional and vocal. Susan was driven to be a wife and a mother. She married Don McLaren on October 7, 1950 and, within months, was nearly widowed by tuberculosis. Don survived, and Susan never missed an opportunity to tell everyone in our family how much she loved us. It might have been Susan who turned the word "parent" into a verb. We learned early the difference between right and wrong, truth and lies, polite and ill-mannered. For her children, Susan did not suffer gladly teachers who couldn't teach, playmates who couldn't behave, or anyone who couldn't wait their turn in line. And then... When her children married, she gained in-laws to parent! She loved them as her own. Each of her nine grandchildren and their loved ones are special, and Gran told them why. Often. She wrote weekly letters to those who moved away for school. She adored her one great-grandchild and looked so forward to having more that it wouldn't surprise us if she had explained to the eligible parties how to make that happen. Susan was an only child, but her parents' siblings gave her 18 first cousins to love. When tragedy struck one of those families in 1939, Susan's cousin, Georgina, moved in with her. They fast became near-sisters, and their children enjoy special ties as second cousins. Our family also treasures wonderful relationships with Susan's cousins in the Minnedosa area. Gatherings over the years have been legendary, and now third cousins are building memories. Susan believed that to be missed in death is a sign of a good life, and she worked tirelessly to create enduring memories for her family. Our Christmas is rich in traditions that she inherited or started. At family celebrations she would encourage everyone to write and read messages of love and support for each other. She organized many remarkable vacations, including a trip to Walt Disney World for the entire family. Susan was short in stature but long in vigor. She didn't nag; she was persistent. She was opinionated. Highly. She shopped with discretion, choosing stores that she believed provided quality and service. And woe on them if they failed to deliver. She was born in the Great Depression to parents who struggled to find work and refused to give up. As a child, she learned that poverty is not a reason for unkempt clothes or poor manners. As a wife and mother, she stretched pennies by sewing for the family and separating need from want. Susan graduated from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate in 1948. At the Canadian Wheat Board, she trained as a keypunch operator and then continued many years at Great West Life. She worked endless evenings while raising her children, the relentless clatter likely contributing to hearing loss. She attended John Taylor Collegiate in the 1980s to learn office skills. She interviewed for many jobs thereafter, declining several offers until deeming the survey firm, Beattie and Associates, to be an ideal employer. In retirement, Susan researched and documented our family history. She discovered cousins across Canada, some of whom have become beloved family. Pete and Marcia Scandlan and Harold and Margaret Rushton held very special places in her heart. Harold and Margaret showed Susan the gravesite of her first ancestor who immigrated to Canada in 1783. Susan also helped Don trace his family. He found delightful cousins in Scotland, and they, too, are mourning Susan's passing. Throughout our lives, Susan vowed to always live with independence. A recent injury hardened her resolve, and her leadership in her final weeks was inspiring. Susan's family extends the deepest gratitude to the dedicated health care professionals and volunteers who provided exceptional care and compassion, respect and dignity. Yours are not easy jobs, and we will be forever grateful for giving Susan what she called "the greatest gift in my life". You enabled us to laugh when there could have been only tears. We also thank the residents and staff of Lindenwood Manor. You made Susan so very happy. Missing Susan and loving the memories are her devoted husband of 66 years, Don; children Greg (Gloria), Glen (Anne), Grant (Debbie), and Gail Richter; grandchildren Jeff (Jenn), Christina Slipec (John), Andrew (fiancé Julie Blaich), Connie (fiancé Christian Bazin), Tom (fiancé Amanda Varis), Candace, Kevin, Brendan, and Ashley; great-grandson Brayden; loving cousins, and great friends. Predeceasing Susan were her beloved parents George and Irene (Peter) Thomas and her dear cousin Georgina (Nixon) DeJong. If you would like to make a donation in memory of Susan, please consider Palliative Care at the St. Boniface Foundation, C1026-409 Tache Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2C 2A6, saintboniface.ca/giftsofhope. Our family will gather privately at a later date. Choose when and how you will celebrate Susan's life: Recall a favourite tradition. Sing. Share a story. Laugh. Embrace a friend. Tell loved ones why they are special. "Living in Memory" Funeral Arrangements in Care of: Wheeler Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematorium 1800 Day Street - 204-224-1525 Please sign the book of memories at www.wheelerfuneral.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 04, 2017