Susan Sue Thompson Cooling

"We are here today to celebrate the life of Susan Sarah Gracie Thompson (Cooling). She was born on October 30, 1927 to Chesley and Ina Thompson, the third youngest in a family of 10. Susan was a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother. She was married to Fred; together they raised three daughters - Sue Ann, Heather, and Mary Lou; she was a Grandmother to Tracy, Sarah, Sandy, Charles, Deanna, and Abby; and a Great Grandmother to Scarlett, Joshua, Mathew, Gracie, Ethan, Lucas, Charles, and Sullivan.

The Love of Family was of her greatest treasures in life. She was proud to be from a large family. She was very close to her family especially her brothers who often teased her.

She often told me that when she was young she would tie her shoelaces in knots so that her brother Arden would spend time with her taking out of the knots. She looked forward to speaking with her brother Bill everyday about things that would be going on in their lives. In addition, she enjoyed the evenings spent with Roy over a cup of coffee. She cherished well-spent time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She remembered every birthday, covered her walls with their pictures, and was thrilled to hear of all their accomplishments. She recorded every family event and had scrapbooks full of birth and wedding announcements, report cards and news articles from BC to Newfoundland on family accomplishments.

A small and feisty lady she was always a champion for the Underdog and when family members were having a hard time is when she defended them most. She was a woman of strong faith and loved her little church in the Glen, listening to the old hymns always brought her comfort.

She always wanted her driver’s license and, was awarded a certificate for the best back seat driver ever; when she was 48 years old, she got her license and purchased her first car.

She loved the outdoors, especially working in her flower and vegetable garden. She was always after Heather to not pull the flowers and leave the weeds. Both quilting and knitting were a great enjoyment for her. When showing us her quilts of course it was always a challenge as to who did the most work on the quilt Susan or Heather.

In later years, travel was something she enjoyed whether it was the time that the five sisters met in Courtney, British Columbia or the times she would go visit other family members whether it was in Ontario, Manitoba or Newfoundland. She was very impressed when she finally was able to see icebergs in Newfoundland at the age of 87.

She was proud of her accomplishments in life – working at the Soldier’ Memorial Hospital first as a housekeeper and then as a seamstress, raising her family, famous for her delicious cookies and cakes, she made the best date squares around. She was a hard worker and never stopped unless it was to watch her hockey.

Her great grandchild Joshua is not here today but he wanted this read – 'Tell Nan that I loves her and I miss her and that I miss hearing her talk I always loves it when she makes funny jokes to cheer me up when I’m sad. I loves it when she gives me hug and kisses. She is a Warrior and she is beautiful and that she means a lot to me – love from her favorite and best looking grandson love Josh’.

Sue always put her own needs aside to care for others and we were blessed to have her in our lives, each of us have memories that will sustain us during the times of sorrow and we know that she is being reunited with our loved ones in heaven and will continue to look down on us.

I would like to share a poem that Sue loved and represents what her quilts meant to her family.

The Quilt

There’s a tattered old quilt in my closet

Whose blocks are all worn and frayed

But it means the world to me

It was one that my mother made.

She sewed each block with loving care

For her eyesight was fast growing dim

The stitches were large and uneven

And she bound it with a crooked hem

Her fingers trembled

As she put each block in place

And as she sewed each unsteady stitch

Love lit up her sweet face

She gave it to me with love and pride

An angelic smile creasing her face

And though the blocks are faded now

No other could take its place

Throw that worn, old quilt away?

No, to me it’s still quite grand

It‘s more precious to me than gold

For it was made by Mama’s hands

Mama’s gone to Heaven now

She climbed those golden stairs

But each time I use that tattered old quilt

I can feel that my mother is near

In closing, as Sue would tell Tracy her granddaughter when she would go home from her visits’ and was lonesome for her, look out at the stars and she would be looking at the same stars, now she will be one of the stars shinning down at us. Rest In Peace my Dear Aunt Sue.

A few words from Heather, her daughter -

Talking to Sue Ann or Tracy on the phone was a great enjoyment to her. She loved to hear what everyone was doing.. Sandy would always call her for her birthday early in the month of October as she wanted to be the first one to wish her a happy birthday.

Mary Lou would call and they would talk for long periods of time about sewing or quilting both very important things to both of them.

She was a quiet person who loved to watch sports, i.e. hockey, baseball, curling, and golf. When she was younger her and her younger brother Bill would ski on the hills behind their house. Neither of them had any fear and would set up speed bumps that they would jump over..

She was a very competitive person and always liked to win - when she was younger she would play checkers and Chinese checkers with her brother Tom. They were very close when they were younger.

She loved to quilt and made many quilts over the years but never one of her own. She would make the quilt tops then her sister Georgie would finish them. Mary Lou made one for her and presented it to her while she was in the hospital. She really treasured it as it was her own and made by Mary Lou.

She never shied away from fixing or setting up an electronic gadget. She would make a fire on in the furnace or kitchen stove like an old pro. One of her favorite sayings was - ' I suppose...'

Obituary

Susan Sarah Gracie Cooling née Thompson of Dawsonville, NB passed away peacefully at the Campbellton Regional Hospital on Saturday, November 28th, 2015. She was born in Dawsonville, NB on October 30, 1927 daughter of the late Chesley and Ina Thompson.

Susan is survived by her daughters Susan (Dave) of Newfoundland, Heather of Dawsonville, and Mary Lou (Darryl) of Ontario, grandchildren Tracy, Sarah, Sandra (Mark), Charles (Elizabeth), Deanna and Abigail; great-grandchildren Scarlett, Joshua, Mathew, Gracie, Ethan, Lucas, Charles, and Sullivan, along with many nieces and nephews. She leaves to mourn her brother Arden Thompson (Antigonish, NS), Tom Thompson (Kitchener, ON), Betty (Victoria, BC), and Bill Thompson (Dawsonville, NB). Susan was predeceased by her husband Fred Cooling, brothers Percy and Ralph; sisters Mildred, Georgina, and Joyce, brother-in-law's Carl, Chummie, Dave and George; sister-in-law's Shirley, Amy, Phyllis, Marilyn and Helen.

Honorary Pall bears were her grandchildren - Charles, Tracy, Sarah, Deanna , Abigail and great granddaughter Gracie.

Special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Palliative Care Unit at the Campbellton Regional Hospital for the excellent care given to Susan during her stay.

Donations can be made to the Glen Levit United Church or to the charity of the donor's choice.

A funeral service will be held at the Glen Levit United Church, Glen Levit, NB at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2015.

Visitation at Maher's Funeral Home, 33 Lansdowne St., Campbellton, Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Maher's Funeral Home, Campbellton.

* * * * * * * * * *

Susan Sarah Gracie Cooling née Thompson of Dawsonville, NB passed away peacefully at the Campbellton Regional Hospital on Saturday, November 28th, 2015. She was born in Dawsonville, NB on October 30, 1927 daughter of the late Chesley and Ina Thompson.

Susan is survived by her daughters Susan (Dave) of Newfoundland, Heather of Dawsonville, and Mary Lou (Darryl) of Ontario, grandchildren Tracy, Sarah, Sandra (Mark), Charles (Elizabeth), Deanna and Abigail; great-grandchildren Scarlett, Joshua, Mathew, Gracie, Ethan, Lucas, Charles, and Sullivan, along with many nieces and nephews. She leaves to mourn her brother Arden Thompson (Antigonish, NS), Tom Thompson (Kitchener, ON), Betty (Victoria, BC), and Bill Thompson (Dawsonville, NB). Susan was predeceased by her husband Fred Cooling, brothers Percy and Ralph; sisters Mildred, Georgina, and Joyce, brother-in-law’s Carl, Chummie, Dave and George; sister-in-law’s Shirley, Amy, Phyllis, Marilyn and Helen.

Honorary Pall bears were her grandchildren - Charles, Tracy, Sarah, Deanna , Abigail and great granddaughter Gracie.

Special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Palliative Care Unit at the Campbellton Regional Hospital for the excellent care given to Susan during her stay.

Donations can be made to the Glen Levit United Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

A funeral service will be held at the Glen Levit United Church, Glen Levit, NB at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2015.

Visitation at Maher’s Funeral Home, 33 Lansdowne St., Campbellton, Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Maher's Funeral Home, Campbellton.

(506)789-1699 or toll free (855) 404-1699 email: [email protected]