Susan Willows Constable

Susan Willows Constable passed peacefully at Stanford Seniors Village in Parksville, British Columbia the evening of 18 Mar 2026. Susan Willows Jones was born in Calgary, Alberta 18 Jan 1943, the youngest daughter of Glyndwr Thomas Jones and Mary Amelia ‘Millie’ Jones (née Willows).

Susan is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband of 60 years David Constable, her son Sean Constable of Burnaby, her daughter Cheryl Constable (Heather) of Parksville, and her grand-daughter Julia Tindale (Shania) of Edmonton, Alberta. She also leaves behind her sister Marilyn (the late Howard) Turpin of Victoria, and her brother Glyndwr (Cheryl) Jones of West Vancouver, and several nieces, nephews and friends. Susan was pre-deceased by her beloved younger son, Darcy Jerome Constable (1995).

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My paddle

dipping into red ripples

stroke by stroke

I head out with the sun

on my side of the waves

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Raised in Vancouver, Susan and David met when they were teenagers. Still dating, they graduated and went on to UBC to become teachers. Married in 1965, they then spent almost two years teaching in Ghana, with CUSO. Upon return, she taught primary school until they decided to start a family in 1969. They soon settled in Abbotsford and, after all three children were in school, Susan began her next chapter at Fraser Valley College, teaching Adult Basic Education and doing programs for The Knowledge Network.

In 1983, David and Susan moved the family to Parksville, embarking on a new career as small-business owners. At various times, they owned Bonanza Kennels and Pet Supplies, Mr. Mike’s Steakhouse, and Dolphin Travel (all in Parksville) and two A Buck or Two franchise stores (in Nanaimo).

Susan was an educator, a writer, and small business owner, where her strong organizational skills and discipline contributed greatly to their success. Soon after retirement, and while grieving and processing the loss of Darcy, she found a new passion in poetry. After a lifetime of dabbling in various forms of writing, she began with long-form poetry and expanded into many forms including haiku, tanka, haibun, and haiga. Susan became an accomplished and widely published poet, showcasing her insights, observations and humour. Giving back to the community that welcomed her, she was a founding member and global moderator of the online poetry forum Inkstone and worked tirelessly as an editor and judge, as well. Most of all, she was a friend and mentor to many in the poetry community.

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if only

I could awake

in the arms

of the northern lights …

dancing, dancing

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After the death of Darcy, in 1995, she chose to honour him and his commitment to health and fitness, by recommitting to her own. She faithfully worked out at Fitness Connection (later Jim’s Gym) three times a week, where she made many valued personal connections - often inspiring others with her dedication, balance and strength. She also became an avid cyclist, logging thousands of kilometres annually, and was still cycling at age 80.

She was an intelligent, creative, observant, loving, fair, sensitive, perceptive, disciplined and structured woman, who thought about many things in a metaphorical way. She had a notable sense of humour and was a much-loved mother, wife, sibling, family member and friend…and is missed, tremendously.

Many thanks go out to the innumerable people involved in caring for her, throughout her journey. There are far too many to list, but every one of you is appreciated beyond words.

As per Susan’s request there will be no service. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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mixed feelings

I walk into the wind

towards home

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- All poetry by Susan Constable