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SUSAN KATHLEEN GROFF
Born: Nov 16, 1952
Date of Passing: Nov 09, 2020
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SUSAN GROFF
peacefully, November 9, 2020 at her home.
She was predeceased by her parents, sister Nancy Groff Chipman and niece Kathleen Owen. Sue is survived and lovingly
remembered by her sister Judy Owen
(nephew Doug (Rusty) and niece Wendy), her sister Gerry Wilson (John, nephews, Matt, Dan and Mike), her nieces, Stephanie, Katie and Melinda as well as her dear friend John Saunders. Sue's great-nephews, Griff, Tim, Cole, Charlie, Holden, George, Oliver and great-niece Avery will remember Aunt Sue best through lake time, photos and stories.
In her early years Sue was surrounded by a special group of lifelong friends from Oxford Street and the girls from the Convent of the Sacred Heart. Family ski trips to the
mountains and summers at "Winora" at Lake of the Woods filled holidays. She worked as a liftie at Sunshine Village and what was then Garibaldi Mountain and spent a memorable summer at the Chateau Lake Louise. In the late 70's and 80's Sue was a mainstay of the Winnipeg music scene that was centered at the Norwood Hotel and the Winnipeg Folk Festival.
Sue graduated with an Honours Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Manitoba. She was an accomplished potter with her work documented in the collections of the
National Gallery of Canada and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Recently she had returned to ceramics and was involved in the wood
burning kiln community at Oak Hammock Pottery.
Sue was a certified arborist who found great joy working in her garden. Her
knowledge and talent have enhanced trees and gardens on many islands at Lake of the Woods and in Winnipeg. She volunteered with 'Save Our Seine Inc.' an environmental non-profit organization that seeks to protect,
enhance and advocate for the Seine River. Her willingness to share her expertise "has contributed to the long-term success of the plantings along the Seine River Greenway." She loved riding her bike nearby, had
recently purchased a canoe to paddle the
river past where she once lived.
Susan was the Head Scenic Artist at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre where she is remembered for her "passion and brilliance for truly crafting a spectacular world on the stage." Sue was nationally recognized for her stage sets. She was described by a colleague as "the perfect collaborator because she was always ready for a journey of discovery and always a positive spirit."
Susan had been teaching at the University of Winnipeg Department of Theatre and Film and was known by her students and
colleagues as "an exceptional teacher who was both tough and cool and ever so talented."
Sue was an independent woman who also cared for the people in her communities. Her 35 years of making and delivering her
Christmas shortbread was legendary.
Friends and colleagues have shared warm memories of Sue and our family is very
grateful and appreciative to have received these. Some of these memories have been
included in this memorial. One thing that was universal is that Susan Groff was a true
original. True to herself, unique and
interesting.
There will be no service at this time. If you wish, donations in Susan's memory can be made to Save Our Seine Inc. (saveourseine.com), the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (contact Chris Turyk at 204-954-6412 or donate online at royalmtc.ca) The Nature Conservancy of Canada (natureconservancy.ca) or of course to a charity of your choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 14, 2020
Condolences & Memories (14 entries)
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I'm so very sorry to hear about Sue. We painted sets together for MTC and the Warehouse in the late 80's, usually 10 or 11 shows per season. We also used to bring buckets of snow into the shop and have snowball fights with the carpenters. Sue was a very talented scenic artist and a hard worker and she'll be greatly missed in the scenic community. - Posted by: Carole Klemm (friend/coworker) on: Dec 03, 2020
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I can add that her night boating skills were excellent. One summer likely 1975 or there about, Sue picked me up (at night) in her open boat and off we went to a party down the lake. Sue drove with no hesitation there and back in the dark, full speed, no problem! So sad that Sue is gone, our convent reunions won’t be the same. - Posted by: Shelagh Hare (Friend) on: Nov 22, 2020
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Sue & I were part of the Oxford Street gang. We spent a great deal of our single digit years hanging upside down from The Groff’s glorious birch tree in their front yard, talking about “stuff”. Year round, nearly every kid on the block, including everyone’s dog, would roar up and down the block, on our bikes, perhaps with a ski rope attached to someone’s bike seat, with roller skates attached to our shoes, going as fast as we dared, until somebody took a big tumble. You were toast if you cried, so you stayed with the gang, biting your quivering lip, hoping no one would notice the tears in your eyes. Everyone had an adventure in mind. Some rebuilt car engines. Others built tree forts. Neighbors across the street, took down their fences and built a really big ice/skating rink. A few of the lads built a boat along the river and on its maiden voyage, it sunk. Oxford Street was so special, we even had 6 sets of twins! Sue and I spent a wonderful summer at Chateau Lake Louise working opposite shifts in the camera shop. On occasion we’d meet up at the Tea House around sunup to enjoy their home made bread & tea and feed the birds and the squirrels. Conversation was sparse. Nature was our conversation. Later in life we’d meet up for a x-country ski along the Seine, or a chat on the dock at the lake. It was always the same. Easy, like hanging upside down from a tree. Sue was splendid; artistic, athletic & independent. She was a one off and we loved her for that. - Posted by: Suzanne McMurray (Friend) on: Nov 19, 2020
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I visited Sue earlier in November. She had a nice fire in the fireplace. We talked about some minor repairs and renovations she was considering for her house and chatted about kilns, clay, the Lake of The Woods, cottage life, and old friends. She knew my sister through skiing and Holiday Mountain, she dated one of my best friends when she was 15, we talked and drank tea. We talked about the art school crowd and laughed about a memories and other things. We talked about cottage maintenance and the joys of a place where family could come together. She talked fondly about her family, smiling proudly as she named them. I promised to take her out to my lake house. I was concerned that she wasn’t returning my calls. Her ceramics gear was set up in a neat orderly way. Her artistic concepts still fresh, clear, and so very much alive. Her work may last a thousand years. She was a beautiful friend. - Posted by: John White (Friend ) on: Nov 17, 2020
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Both shocked and saddened to learn of Sue's passing. We were casual but admiring friends. She was an incredibly multi-talented person and I wish she had had more time to enjoy all of the things she loved doing in retirement. She will be missed. - Posted by: Heather Cram (friend) on: Nov 17, 2020
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Paint peacefully my friend... - Posted by: Barny Haines (Friend) on: Nov 15, 2020
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I was looking out the window of MTC one afternoon and (Wingfield's) dog was across Market on the boulevard and squatting. I said hey some dog's having a poop. Sue looked out and said No, tail up is a pee and tail down is a poo. I've had three dogs since and she is right. - Posted by: CRAIG JACKSON (friend/coworker) on: Nov 15, 2020
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I knew Sue from being part of various Royal MTC productions; her work was superb, and she was absolutely down-to-earth and a pleasure to work with. I also remember your family, as I grew up at 218 Oxford. I'm so sorry for your loss. - Posted by: Mariam Bernstein (colleague) on: Nov 15, 2020
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So sad. Friends for over 50 years. Any conversation with Su was was always an adventure that made you think. She had so many interests and was always interested in what you were doing. Hard to believe someone so vibrant has left us. RIP kid! - Posted by: Ted Bigelow (Friend) on: Nov 15, 2020
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Sue could be a little scary at work-- she was single mindedly passionate about the scenic painting, and as we worked in the Props department, sometimes we rubbed each other the wrong way. One summer over 20 years ago, we were travelling to Ontario to visit family and stopped in Kenora for lunch. We heard someone call our names, and a smiling and relaxed Sue came running up. She would not hear of our continuing without first bringing ourselves and our two young boys in her boat to visit the cottage. We had an absolutely magical time at that old family island, and from then on I knew that she had a heart of absolute gold, and that she was a kind, generous, and loyal friend. We have enjoyed many the parties in our Prop Shop with her providing rum, cheese, and good humour. We looked forward to many years of post-retirement visits, and are really saddened by her loss. Our sincere condolences to her family. - Posted by: Kari Hagness and Larry Demedash (long time theatre colleagues) on: Nov 14, 2020
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Sue was a distant cousin of mine...my mother Lorna Wilson was a McNichol. Mom and I had tea with Sue at her house many years ago. So sorry to hear of your loss. - Posted by: Joan Wilson Main (Cousin) on: Nov 14, 2020
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So sorry to hear of Susan's passing. Her father Doug and my father Henry were such very good friends and paddling partners at the Winnipeg Canoe Club and our families were always very close. We spent so many happy times together skiing at LaRiviere, our annual winter picnic. or visiting at the lake. My sincere condolences to Judy and Gerry for their sad loss. - Posted by: Tony Dadson (Family friend) on: Nov 14, 2020
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I'm deeply saddened to learn that we've lost Susan. Like very many people, I've always admired her talent, and enjoyed her droll wit. She was totally unique, and had powerful integrity. It was always fascinating to speak with her. I was lucky to have seen her at a Convent reunion last fall, and will cherish her memory. - Posted by: Margaret Sweatman (Friend ) on: Nov 14, 2020
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Was fortunate to work with Sue on some summer paint jobs at Rainbow. We could always find something to talk about. A very interesting and talented lady with much knowledge on many subjects. Those shortbreads were amazing. - Posted by: Debbie A Okolita (Workmate) on: Nov 14, 2020