The lights have gone out at the White house. Susan passed away on Tuesday, February 15th, after a brief stopover at Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. Somewhere, Frank Sinatra is singing "I Did it My Way."
Susan lived life on her own terms. She believed in God, the Monarchy, and a good G and T. She was kind, generous, flamboyant, sometimes outrageous, infinitely stubborn and fiercely independent. Convention was not her way; nor was indecision. She was happy to provide an opinion, whether you asked for it or not.
Susan's love of home and friends, human and furry, is legendary. She moved into the White house in 1953 with her father Vic, her mother Jean and her brother Richard. She remained grateful throughout her life that they had chosen the North Ward in which to settle.
Susan attended Hillcrest Public School and ODCVI, followed by Laurentian University. After graduation, she returned to Orillia as an educational assistant at HRC. She made quite a splash with her stylish clothes and the loan of her brother's orange Corvette Stingray.
She left this job to attend teachers' college at U of T. After a short stint as a high school guidance counselor in Collingwood, she began teaching at Harriett Todd and later moved to Couchiching Heights.
While teaching, she opened Susan Nadine's, a stylish retail shop in the downtown. After retirement, Susan became a bargain hunter extraordinaire, frequenting garage sales, flea markets, antique stores and junk shops. Buying and selling came naturally to her and of course, provided her with many delightful stories to tell.
Susan attended a teaching course in England, (from which she returned with an entire set of Staffordshire dishes). Later, she and some Harriett Todd friends took a train trip out west. However, she loved being home more than traveling, hosting regular TGIF parties and 5:00 a.m breakfasts for televised events about the Royal family. Susan insisted on hosting her own retirement party in her own back yard.
Over the last few years, Susan's mobility issues became increasingly challenging. However, she kept her eye on the neighbourhood from her sunporch and the entire city with her police scanner. Dog biscuits at the end of the drive meant dogwalkers would stop and chat. Friends continued to visit and laughter was still the order of the day.
Susan leaves behind her brother Richard, his wife Joan, their children Carla and Craig and their children, Thomas and Victoria, respectively, as well as her housemates Scaredycat, Freckles and Toby. It is rumoured that Toby is still living in the North Ward with friends.
A celebration of Susan's life will be held at a date to be announced. The Orillia SPCA and the Ontario SPCA would be Susan's charity of choice. A tribute for her will be on the Mundell Funeral Home website. Photos for a slide show for the celebration can be sent to [email protected] (no d in the name)
Susan has flown unencumbered to her next home. Wherever that may be, there will be laughter.
"You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing."
E.B. White (Charlotte's Web)