1909 - 2017
After a long and eventful life Dr. Susan McMaster, nee Eva Suzanne Stern, passed away December 31, 2017. She was born in Berlin, Germany in 1909, and lived through World War 1, the German depression, the hyperinflation of the 1920s, and the rise of the Nazis. With her MD from Freiburg, she emigrated to England in 1933 with her first husband, Dr. Edward May, and had two sons, John and Frank. In 1940, she took them to British Columbia, but it was impossible to receive money from wartime England, so she took a number of non-medical jobs until she was able to pass the B.C. medical exams, being one of the first women to do so. Following internship at Vancouver General Hospital, she worked as an obstetrics doctor in general practice.
After divorce from her first husband Edward May in 1947 she married Mr. Glen McMaster, a Vancouver lawyer, in 1949. She had previously quit private practice to go into public health, receiving the Doctor of Public Health degree from University of Toronto in 1948. Dr. McMaster became director of Vancouver Public Health Unit No. 7, serving parts of East Vancouver, Delta and Richmond. She actively promoted fluoridation of Vancouver’s water supply and successfully worked against polio with the Salk vaccine. After serving in public health for 20 years, she was forced to retire at age 60 (men at 65). She was a dedicated professional, a lifetime member of the B.C. Medical Association, and a former President of the Canadian Medical Association.
She is survived by son John May and wife Maureen of Rochester, NY, by granddaughters Vivian May and spouse Beth Ferri of Syracuse, NY, by Beverly May of Brooklyn, NY, and by son Frank May and companion Binnie Grootendorst of Wales, UK. Though her beloved second husband Glen died in 1985, his extended family by his first marriage became hers as well. Her step-son Barrie McMaster and wife Jan of Abbotsford, BC were both especially devoted to her, as were Barrie’s six children Michelle, Leanne, Drew, Caroline, Jacqueline and Christopher. She outlived by many years her four younger siblings, Richard Stern, Robert Eliott, Ulrich Eliott and Lily Stern, none of whom had lived in Canada. Tragically, their parents were killed by the Nazis.
Her grieving, extended family honors a courageous and independent woman who made a difference. The family thanks all the staff at the South Granville Park Lodge, with special thanks to Ellen, Jessica and Zuleika for their excellent care. Donations may be made in Dr. McMaster's memory to South Granville Park Lodge in lieu of flowers.
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