We are heartbroken to announce that Susan passed away on November 27th, at the age of 61. She had been bravely battling cancer for several years, which finally overtook her quickly and peacefully.
Throughout her battle she kept up her unrelenting support for her family and loved ones, and strong relationships with so many friends. Truly a loving family oriented woman and dear friend to so many, unforgettable to everyone she touched, she will be deeply missed.
Susan was born on September 3rd, 1959 in Vancouver, daughter of the late Bill and Trudy Lees. Susan is forever loved by her husband Jeff, her children Jeremy and Jonathan, her siblings Sharon Adair (John), Jim Lees (Nancy), and Sandy Papp (Rob), her brothers-in-law Jordan O'Brien-Moran (Louise), and Ken Muis (Kathy), her mother-in-law (Mary), numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
Susan was predeceased by her brother-in-law David Schmok, and her sister-in-law Kathy Muis.
Susan grew up on the west side of Vancouver and went to school at Trafalgar and Prince of Wales, then graduating from University of British Columbia with a degree in Psychology.
She worked at Trinity Lodge, Caprice Cards, BC Tel (now Telus), Snowline Geoscience, Research Assistant for a number of UBC studies, and at many elementary schools in the area, primarily Ray Shepherd.
She went back to school to earn a certificate as Special Education Assistant, skills she used to help not only her own son, but many others she encountered at Semiahmoo House.
Susan was extraordinarily cherished as a people person, able to establish rapport easily and develop deeply personal relationships with not only her husband and family, but with many, many friends some of whom have remained very close throughout their lives.
She loved life in so many ways, laughing a lot, playing sports, travelling near and far, constantly learning new things, reading so many books, involvement in the special needs community, singing songs constantly, loving her pets, and just hanging out in the backyard and at home.
But most of all she really loved the people in her life, giving so much of herself to everybody and asking for just fun and love and caring in return.
A Celebration of Life will be held once it is safe to do so. We will also hold a virtual memorial to Susan, facilitated by her son Jonathan, likely on Sunday December 20, details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Uniti Foundation (Semiahmoo House) in memory of Susan (uniti4all.com/home/donations/).
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