Susan's work as a "designated representative" on contract with the IRB throughout her legal career - assisting unaccompanied or separated minors and vulnerable, traumatized adults, inspired me to take on this work when I could no longer manage a full legal practice doing refugee law. I inherited some of the clients that Susan was representing when she passed away. She also gave me very good advice about doing DR work before I started. I think of Susan often and I miss being able to share with her the challenges and rewards of this work with vulnerable refugees. She was such a valuable colleague and friend. She is very fondly remembered.

Susan is missed very much by all of the mental health workers at the court house. Her ability to connect with our clients who are very complex was a space that has left a hole in our service. She was loved and is missed by us all.
Margaret Robinson

I just fou d her  busines card after years u see my TV after a .ini flood

I wAs thinking of this lDy and where her card was fir years

May her so rest in peace

Susan represented me in my asylum application in mid 2000. She offered me unparalleled support and showed great empathy which helped a great deal given the trauma I had suffered in my country of origin. May Her soul continue to rest in eternal peace

One of the many memories of Susan was my last visit with her at her celebration.  As usual she held my hand and assured me she will be fine. There is not a day that go by that I reflect on her commitment to those many refugee clients and their mental health challenges. Susan , you will always be in our hearts.  

Like John Toohey I had not seen Susan since Carleton days around 1980. I see from the written memories  she did not change one iota during that time; neither in her career nor her friendships.  So full of compassion, you would not think of Susan without that smile.

One of my best memories of Susan was driving with her to an inaugural meeting of the Peel Children's Aid new reource group for refugee children: Child Welfare Immigration Centre of Excellence (CWICE) - at this meeting she told me about some of her work with unaccompanied minors and her interactions with Peel Children's Aid. I believe Susan was a major force in helping CAS understand the particular challenges facing unaccompanied minors who are refugee claimants in Canada. I was inspired by Susan's work over the years to become involved as a Designated Representative for refugee children, in addition to representing children as a refugee lawyer.

Susan, many days i often think of you and the inspring chats we often had. I might see someone that remind me of you or come across a client we shared. As I celebrate your transition anniversary,  I will use your wisdom and thoughtfulness.  I often wonder what you would say during this pandemic.  I do believe you would encourage hope and resilience. Susan you will always be in my heart. Rest in peace.

Susan and I were in the same section at Osgoode Hall throughout law school, and we worked together at Parkdale Legal Services during the summer between our 2nd and 3rd year. We both became immigration lawyers, but Susan was always more than that. She was an advocate in the broader sense, fighting for humanitarian justice with passion and determination. Susan made a significant contribution to making the world a better place for so many. I will miss her.

I've not seen Susan for over 40 years but remember her from our at Carleton University days as a kind, generous person with a great sense of humour and a very engaging personality.  I'm not surprised to read of her significant contribution to social justice in Canada.
John Toohey (Sydney, Australia)

My sincere condolences to Susan's family and friends. We worked together as refugee advocates for many years and Susan became my mentor and adviser when I applied to become a Designated Representative for unaccompanied refugee children and vulnerable adults. She always knew the best resources for support of these vulnerable clients. We will miss her terribly.

I first met Susan when I was an adjudicator at the Refugee Board. She always impressed me with her gentle manner when questioning her client and her passionate and forceful submissions.

We were then brought together when I became a designated representative, helping people with mental illnesses before the Refugee Board’s four divisions. Again she blew me away with her ability to calm her clients while getting them to tell us why they needed Canada’s protection or to remain in Canada. 

Susan taught me so much about working with marginalized people. She was my ‘go to’ person when I was stuck as a DR. I’ll miss her dearly

Susan was a dear friend from high school and early university days.  Although it has been over forty years since I last saw her I feel her loss very much.  I am glad to read that throughout her career she never lost her deep concern and compassion for others.  My condolences to her family.

Susan and I were soulmates in the 1970s. I so remember her smile and gentle laugh which belied an earnestness and commitment which I know she maintained throughout her life. Though our contact was sporadic in the last decades I still feel a loss very much in the present. Thank you, Susan, for many sweet memories. And for Marta, sincere condolences for the emptiness created by the loss of such a wonderful human being and mother.

Rob Lane

She was a dedicated, compassionate soul, and I will miss her.   Wishing comfort to her family.  It's a hard loss.  

Susan dedicated her life to providing top quality legal services to the most vulnerable and marginalized.  It was a privilege to get to know her at law school and to share office space and many laughs with her over the years.  A true trailblazer, I hope that her memory will inspire all of us to strive to make a difference in others’ lives. 

I respect and admire Susan's work on behalf of new Canadians.  Her genuine efforts to protect the dignity and preserve the rights of all will not be forgotten.

Susan was a very special lady and a highly respected Toronto Immigration lawyer who worked tirelessly and effectively usually as the designated representative for those who were underage or mentally challenged adults in hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board. I often faced her in an adversarial position, but we both grew to admire and respect one another. When I retired, I occasionally would refer clients to her for family law matters knowing that they would get expert and affordable respresentation. We formed a friendship that lasted for more than 20 years and I feel blessed to have known her. May she rest in peace.


Susan, I will cherish all the amazing words of wisdom you have shared with me over the years in a professional capacity.  Thanks for taking the opportunity in assisting me to whisper my last goodbye to you on this plain. However, I will honor your memory through positive interactions, the unconditional love for humanity, respect for the marginalized communities across Canada and the globe. 
Today, I wish your family my sincerest condolences and their opportunity to have shared this leg of their journey with you.     

Susan was my friend. We lived together in Toronto while she studied law, and have remained in each other's lives all these years.
Susan was generous and compassionate. She always spoke of her immigrant and refugee clients with measured, professional language tempered with kindness and understanding. Her insights into the law, immigration, policing, and the needs of the disenfranchised were always both sensible and fierce.
She was devoted to her family, especially Marta, her beautiful, talented daughter, and her brother John, who will miss her constant presence in his life.
Love you, Ms. Woo

OBITUARY

Ms. Susan Woolner

9 December, 1951 – 29 October, 2019

Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services