January 16, 1945 – June 11, 2023

It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Wife and Mother, at the age of 78, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mom will be dearly missed by her devoted husband Ron, daughter Kim Cyr (Brian) and son Kevin (Barb), honorary granddaughters Farida and Aicha, sisters Eva, Helen, and Mary, and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Mom is predeceased by her parents Jacob and Maria Schellenberg, 4 brothers, and 4 sisters.

Mom was born and raised in Grunthal Manitoba, and was the youngest of 12 children. She was always proud to say she was the youngest!  Mom and Dad married in 1967 and settled in Winnipeg, in Windsor Park, where they raised two children and spent their 56 years of marriage. Mom took great pride in creating a beautiful home for her family, and it was always important to her to keep a clean and organized home.

To some she was known as Susan, to others she was Sue, and Aunt Sue, but most importantly she was known as Mom and Nanna. And those were the roles that defined her. She was a devoted Mom and Nanna, always putting our needs before her own. Mom‘s kindness and generosity had no limits, and she was always happiest when she could help us with anything, big or small.

In 1979, St Vital Centre was built, and while still under construction, Mom applied for a job and was selected for the jewelry department in Eaton’s, where she worked for 20 years until Eaton’s closed in 1999. Sears took over the space and Mom remained in the jewelry department for another 15 years until she retired in 2014 at the age of 69. This job suited her perfectly as Mom loved being around people and she could make conversation with anyone.

Almost immediately upon her retirement, Mom took on the role as Honorary Grandma to daughters of their dear friends, Patience and Chetima. The girls, Farida and Aicha, lovingly called her Nanna. Mom adored the girls and was very involved in their lives. They brought her great joy and she was so proud to be their Nanna.

Mom was so vibrant and vital. She lit up any room she was in. She loved family get-togethers with her large extended family, and was always interested in catching up with her nieces and nephews, and their families. Mom was a great hostess and it brought her great joy to have lots of people over, or simply Sunday dinners when Kim and Kevin would come home. Mom always made sure to make everyone’s favourite dishes and no one went home empty handed. And while Mom was a great cook, she was an expert pie maker! We will miss all of this.

Mom had many passions. She loved to dance, whether it was the polka, ballroom dancing, square dancing, or line dancing. She also loved music and singing and once she discovered karaoke, there was no stopping her! Mom was a big fan of the Blue Jays, and she loved watching games on TV and was thrilled to attend a few games over the years. Travelling was also Mom’s passion and she and Dad took many trips over the years, including Mexico, Dominican Republic, Florida, Las Vegas, New York, Hawaii, and many trips within Canada. As a family, we enjoyed summer vacations at Falcon Lake with aunts, uncles and many cousins.

We will miss the light and energy Mom brought into our lives, her joyfulness, her laughter, her smile, and the beautiful sparkle in her eyes. She was the glue that held our family together. As much as we are struggling with the emptiness and void she has left, we have a lifetime of memories which we will cherish forever.

Our family gives a heartfelt “Thank You” to family and friends. You surrounded Mom with the purest love and brought her joy with your visits and phone calls, your generosity of food, flowers, housecleaning, as well as your prayers and emotional support for our family.

We extend a special thank you to our family friend, Patience, who selflessly gave of her time to care for Mom in the most attentive and loving way, throughout her illness.

To our dear friends and Officiant, Peter and Debbie Ash, there are no words to express our appreciation for the times you prayed with Mom and us as a family, providing us with a sense of peace as her illness progressed.

We give sincere thanks to Mom’s Homecare worker, Shelly, and the nurses with the Palliative Care team, as well as the various nurses and doctors at the Riverview Palliative Care Unit, who all provided Mom with exceptional care.

Our family extends genuine thanks to Rick Kotaska of Interlake Cremation & Memorial Services, who was an invaluable resource and provided immense support and guidance through this difficult time.

Cremation has taken place and the funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 2:00pm at Glen Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, 455 Lagimodiere Boulevard.

“Precious jewel, you glowed, you shone, reflecting all the good things in the world”    
– Maya Angelou

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Sue’s memorial page by using the comment field below.