Susan Sharron Leckie Armstrong

      “Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Susan Sharron Armstrong, it summarized in every way who she was. She was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around her and always thinking before acting. She was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything she did. She was a friendly person who truly cared about those around her.

      Susan was born on September 18, 1946 at Civic Hospital in Peterborough, ON. She was the daughter of Alexander D. Leckie and Susan Leckie (nee: Martin). Raised in Peterborough, ON, she was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, she learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that she would carry with her throughout her life.

      As a young girl, Susan was always aware of how others around her felt and this quality served her well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Susan was generally able to avoid conflicts. It seemed as if Susan was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay. Preferring a quiet environment where she could concentrate, Susan also had the ability to relate well with her family and friends. Susan was raised with two siblings. She had one older brother Ken and an older sister Helen. Susan was constantly involved in activities with her family. Susan and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up but they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

      Growing up, Susan was one of those children who didn’t need to be in the center of a whirlwind of activity. She was content to entertain herself. Susan was never pushy when it came to games and other activities, but rather, she was able to enjoy the pure fun these could bring. In just about everything she did as a child, Susan was intent on pleasing both the adults and the other children around her. Susan took part in a number of activities as a child. She was a Girl Guide and she was involved highly involves with majorettes.

      Susan enjoyed learning. She always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Susan was generally quiet in class, learning best through observation. She often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand. Good with details, Susan was painstaking and accurate in her efforts. All of these talents culminated in a successful high school career. She graduated from Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School in 1962. Susan enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was buisness.

      Most folks would say that Susan was shy until they got to know her. Those who were privileged to know her well learned that she was a solid, good friend. Susan was reluctant to generalize about people, and she based her friendships on her personal experiences. Because of this, Susan best trusted those people that she truly knew. She was concerned about how those around her felt, and she always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. She could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that she made, Susan kept. While growing up, some of her best friends were Ann Foskett, Lynda Connors, Sue Shaw, Linda Walling. Later in life, she became friends with, Al and Lynda Hatton, Ann and Bill Hatton, Ann and Gill Payne, Sonny and Pat Leckie.

      Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Susan. On July 29, 1967 Susan married Jack McFarlane Armstrong at George Street United Church of Peterborough, On. She was totally committed to Jack and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Susan naturally sensed her spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally. Although Susan disliked conflict, she did not take flight from discord, but rather sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times.

      Susan was a good mother to her children. She had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner. Because she trusted emotions, Susan was reluctant to force issues and used gentle persuasion to resolve situations. In this way she seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around her, always thinking before acting. In addition, Susan was a master planner. No matter how hectic life around her might be, she seemed to know and track everyone’s schedule. Susan was blessed with one child, her daughter Kristine. They were also blessed with two granddaughters, Jillian and Rebecca.

      If you gave Susan a deadline, she would meet it. At work, Susan was always on task. Without hesitation, Susan could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. Her primary occupation was Secretary. She was employed for many years with Benninger Surveying and prior to that she was employed at Peterborough Lumber. During that time, Susan excelled in working with small groups in order to complete assignments. She was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency. Susan was good at staying on track and was considerate in listening to what others had to say. In this way, Susan had a true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems. She was often the team member who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.

      Susan liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Susan's choice of leisure time activities. A methodical and patient worker, Susan preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on her hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were scrapbooking, and reading. Susan was content to sit quietly alone, enjoying her hobbies all by herself and could often be found just reading about her favorite pastimes.

      While thorough and measured in her approach to things, Susan often liked to physically do things rather than just think about them. She was like that with sports. She also enjoyed the statistical data and the facts behind the sports. In this way, she was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite teams whenever she got the opportunity. Top on her list was her new found love of Lacrosse, she cheered hard for our Peterborough Lakers.

      Due to her excellent organizational skills, Susan was a welcome addition to the professional and community organizations to which she belonged. Susan could bring established, successful methods to the discussion table, along with a generous helping of common sense. Susan was good at making and keeping schedules and never got bogged down in unnecessary details. Throughout her later years, Susan was an active member of the Red Maple Charmers of the Red Hat Society.

      Anyone who traveled or went on vacation with Susan had smooth sailing. It was often taken for granted that she was the trip planner. She would start early and examine all of the possibilities, selecting the best and most effective options. Favorite vacations included crusises to the carribean and mediterranean, Scotland, road trips (East Coast, Alberta and to the States - Arizona, Florida and Virginia).

      Susan had Sassy, her beloved Border Collie, who was her best friend for 5 years. Her family was rounded out by her many dogs - Rex, Sandy, Nokie, Sheba and Goldie. Susan was as loyal to her pets as they were to her.

      When Susan's retirement finally arrived in 2006, she was well prepared. She had taken the time to learn about her various options and chose her course wisely. In retirement, she found new pleasure in the Red Hat Society and spending more time with family and friends. Even in retirement, Susan continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her.

      Susan passed away on November 15, 2010 at Peterborough Regional Health Center, Peterborough, Ontario. Susan fought a long and hard battle with cancer for the past 2 years. She is survived by her husband Jack; her daughter Kristine and her two grandchildren Jillian and Rebecca. Services were held at Comstock Funeral Home. Susan was laid to rest in Rosemount Memorial Cemetary in Peterborough, Ontario.

      It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Susan was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Susan was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of woman to whom everyone was drawn. She was thorough and practical. Susan Armstrong was very literal with her words. You always knew where you stood with Susan. She will be missed.

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Armstrong, Susan Sharron (nee Leckie) – Passed away peacefully at Peterborough Regional Health Centre, surrounded by her family on November 15, 2010 in her 65th year. Loving wife of 43 years to Jack Armstrong. Wonderful mother to Kristine and her husband Kirk. Cherished grandma to Jillian and Rebecca. Dear sister of the late Kenneth Leckie and his wife Stella and Helen Coakley and her husband Albert. She will also be greatly missed by many cousins, nieces and nephews. Susan has been retired from Benninger Surveying for four years and was previously employed with Peterborough Lumber. She was also a member of the Red Hat Maple Charmers. We would like to express our gratitude to the doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers of the D2 Palliative Care Unit and the Cancer Care Unit at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and to the nurses and personal support workers of Prohome for the wonderful and supportive care that she received over the past two years. Visitation will be held from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at the Comstock Funeral Home and Cremation Centre, 356 Rubidge St., Peterborough. A funeral will be held in the chapel on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment to follow at Rosemount Memorial Gardens. If so desired, donations in memory of Susan may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society as well as Hospice Peterborough. Online condolences may be made at www.comstockfuneralhome.com.