Susan Joe-Ann Sutton

“Anything is possible.” That is what Susan Joe-Ann Sutton believed about life. She was a creative woman, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting her. She had faith in her ability to find those solutions. Susan thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. She possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Susan was a person who believed that she could achieve whatever she set out to do.

      Susan was born on October 19, 1953 at Toronto East General Hospital in Toronto. Her parents were Bob and Joan Burnett. Susan was raised in East York. She showed her ingenuity even as a child. When she was confronted with a problem, Susan could develop an imaginative solution, and she derived satisfaction from knowing she had that ability.

      This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Susan's family relationships. Susan was raised with 3 siblings. She had two older brothers, Alex and Don, and one younger brother, Kerry. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Susan was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

      As a young girl, Susan could be found building and inventing new and different things. She was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. She was a Brownie member and a Member of the Majorettes.

      Endowed with an appetite for knowing how her world worked, Susan enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Susan was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

      Susan was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around her. Always interested in her friends’ activities and interests, Susan was uncritical of her acquaintances. She was sought after by people who recognized that she was generous with her time and energy, and these same friends found Susan to be very stimulating company. Susan's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around her. While growing up, Susan's best friend was Debbie Dunk. Later in life, she remained best friends with Debbie, but also was very close to Ann Cormier and Maureen Crook.

       Susan was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Susan was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Susan was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to her spouse’s needs. She was a vibrant personality and she enjoyed verbally sparring with Dave. In fact, those who knew her often remarked that Susan loved to argue for argument’s sake. She was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Dave's.

      Susan's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced her relationship with her children. She would create original, clever and fun games for her kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Susan was blessed with three children, one daughter, Sarah, and two sons, Joshua and Lucas. They were also blessed with six grandchildren, Alexsandra, Rylee, Caleb, Abbey, Grace and Kennedy. Someone who was quick to laugh, Susan found it easy to spend lots of time with her children, but she was never overbearing or guilty of pushing herself on them.

      As a born inventor, Susan was definitely in her element in her work place. She could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Susan was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. She could assess all of the options before her and, using her analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. Her personal initiative inspired those around her. Susan was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. Her primary occupation was a homemaker. Susan always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Susan's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for her. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Susan was always searching for new and unusual activities, she developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things she became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew her, but most friends and family understood that Susan simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. Her favorite pursuit was painting art on rocks.

      Susan was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Susan's favorites was a poodle named Becky. They were best friends for 8 years. Her family was rounded out by her 3 dogs, Madison, C. C. And Maggie.

      Susan passed away on February 5, 2010 at Toronto East General Hospital. Susan fought a courageous battle against cancer. She is survived by her husband, Dave; children, Sarah, Joshua and Lucas; grandchildren Alexsandra, Rylee, Caleb, Abbey, Grace and Kennedy. Services were held at Giffen-Mack Funeral Home. Susan will be laid to rest in Pine Hills Cemetery.

      During her lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Susan. She met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Susan was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around her could not. For Susan, the traditional way of doing things fell short of her expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Susan Joe-Ann Sutton, the fun of living her life could be found in the challenge.

Susan Joe-Ann Sutton

SUNRISE

October 19, 1953

Toronto, Ontario

SUNSET

February 5, 2010

Toronto, Ontario

After a courageous battle with cancer, her loving family by her side, on February 5, 2010 at the age of 56. Cherished wife of David. Beloved mother of Sarah (Clint Sopha), Joshua (Kimberley) and Lucas (Monique). Nana of Abbey, Grace, Alexsandra, Rylee, Caleb and Kennedy. Loving sister to Alexander, Kerry and Donald. Dear daughter-in-law of Molly. Will be forever missed by many family and friends. Friends and relatives will be received at the GIFFEN-MACK 'DANFORTH' FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 2570 Danforth Ave., (at Main St. subway), 416-698-3121, on Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 1 p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation to follow. If desired, a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there, I did not die.

FOR WHOM YOU CARED

The one for whom you cared

With such abiding love

Has found the wondrous shining path

Up to the home above.

The home where joy forever dwells

Where loved ones but await

For us to share their happiness

Beyond the heavenly gate