Susan Jennifer Dolbey

1942 – 2025

Susan Dolbey (nee Briggs) died peacefully at home in Toronto on 2025-03-19 at the age of 82. Beloved wife of Michael. Loving mother of Helen (Daniel Perkins) and Sarah (Ian Robson). Cherished grandmother of Evan and Ryan Robson.

Susan was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England on August 6, 1942. She and her parents emigrated to Canada in 1950 living in Dunnville and later, Kingston, Ontario. An avid student, Susan attended Queen’s University where she met Michael, her husband of 61 years. After earning both an Honours BA and an MA in Political Science, she and Micheal took their first of many overseas trips to pursue their Ph.D.’s from the University of Manchester in England. After returning to Canada, Susan applied her education working for the Ontario Government in a variety of roles related to Municipal Affairs and Housing.

In 1980, Susan and Michael bought a cottage near Peterborough that changed the direction of their lives. The rambling property needed attention, but sparked a life long love of gardening, which opened the door to many new friendships. Susan explored her new found interest in gardening by joining many gardening groups both in Toronto and the Kawarthas. She eventually gave back to these communities by serving as Co-Chair of the Ontario Rock Garden and Hardy Plant Society (ORG&HPS), as a founding member of the Toronto branch of the Ontario Master Gardeners, and as a member of the Garden Oversite Committee that guided the design and construction of the Toronto Botanical Garden’s gardens. Susan has received a number of awards for service provided to various horticultural societies.

Susan and Michael also loved to travel, exploring the world together. They enjoyed taking botanical tours of South Africa, Patagonia and China with many friends they made through their gardening groups, as well as exploring India, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. In later years, when these sorts of grand adventures became more challenging, Susan still enjoyed making memories with her children and grandchildren on several cruises throughout the Caribbean.

For those wishing to do so, donations can be made in Susan’s name to the Toronto Botanical Garden, so others can have the opportunity to share her love of gardening.