Susan C. (Lyndon) Dykstra

She is survived by her brother, Norman, her sister, Betty (Snell); her nieces and nephews, Brian, Bob, Patty, Beth, and Lynne; her great-nieces and great-nephews, Cassandra, Victoria, Devon, Brennyn, and Robbie; and her great-great-niece, Layla. She was predeceased by her beloved father, Borden Lyndon, her mother, Connie Lyndon, and her sister, Anne (Fitzmaurice).

Always a “northern girl”, Susan was born in Chapleau, Ontario, on May 18, 1955. Her family relocated to southern Ontario, where she grew up in Ingersoll, and attended Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute (IDCI). She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in history and English from the University of Guelph in 1977.

Susan was deeply committed to serving her community, particularly the advancement of those with special needs. After her graduation, she became a workshop instructor for the London and District Association for the Mentally Retarded (LDAMR), which is now called Community Living. She was a cherished instructor who worked collaboratively to develop new programmes and activities for the clients.

Susan's deep-rooted interest in politics was evident from her early years.  She was an active member of her provincial and federal Progressive Conservative associations and volunteered in election campaigns. She served as a Vice President on the Ontario P.C. Youth Association Executive and worked in the office of Premier Frank Miller at Queen’s Park in 1985.

Susan later attended the University of Ottawa, earning a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) with a focus on special education. She taught in elementary schools within the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) until her retirement in 2017. She ensured that every school where she worked had access to extra-curricular music activities, and she also took on the role of school librarian (J.G. Workman Public School). She was “Queen of the Field Trips” and was known for her imaginative and artistic teaching strategies. She made learning fun! During her years as a teacher, Susan was also an active board member of the Métis Artists’ Collective, where she served as a driving force behind the educational programming of the annual Métis Arts Festival and events at Black Creek Pioneer Village and Toronto City Hall from 2006 to 2010.

Always passionate about Canadian history, the Monarchy and music, Susan was a creative composer and often applied her brilliant satirical wit to craft clever lyrics. She was a devoted parishioner of The Church of the Resurrection (Anglican) in Toronto. She organized many events for her church and will be especially remembered for her magical Celtic Christmas concerts and her beautifully lyrical compositions, such as “Run to the Barn”, which will be sung at her funeral. She was deeply grateful to all who supported her 20 years ago during her breast cancer journey and her fundraising efforts with “Yard Sale for the Cure”. 

Susan was gifted with many talents, which she generously shared with others. One of her great joys was designing dresses and outfits for her nieces, and she was always eager to support behind the scenes at stage and film productions. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed artmaking of all forms. She will be sadly missed by her family, friends, and all those who knew and loved her – including her cat, Oscar and her dog, Jake. May she rest in peace. The heavens will be brighter for her presence now. God bless.

Friday, October 3, 2025

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Giffen-Mack and Trull Funeral Home (2570 Danforth Ave, Toronto M4C 1L3)

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Visitation and funeral services will be held at the Church of the Resurrection (1100 Woodbine Ave, Toronto, M4C 4C7), with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and the service starting at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to stay for a tea reception.

In lieu of flowers, we ask for donations to be made in support of her brother, Norman Lyndon:

Woodstock District Developmental Services

212 Bysham Park Drive

Woodstock, Ontario. N4T 1R2

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/15802