Tribute

It is with deepest sadness that we share the peaceful passing of our beloved Sue, after a courageous 14-month cancer journey.

Sue was born in Duncan, BC, to Prof (Jack) and Dorry (Dorothy) Aitken, and grew up in Shawnigan Lake alongside older brother, Bob, and younger brother, Dan.

At the age of 18, Sue would land a job working at the then Forest Museum, where she would meet her future husband, Allan. Sue was quickly embraced by the large Stone clan, and was grateful to gain the sisters she never had growing up.

After completing high school at Cowichan Secondary, Sue went on to attend Camosun College and the University of Victoria where she completed her teaching certificate.

Being both from close knit families, it was not long before Sue and Al started a family of their own. Raising Missy, Greg and Andy was the joy of Sue’s life, perhaps surpassed only by her delight in being a Gramma. Sue took no greater pleasure than in spending time with her kids and grandkids. She was immensely proud of her brood and could be found most weekends cheerleading from the sidelines at various sporting venues. She was always up for an adventure whether it was fishing, boating or camping, but was happiest on a trip to “The Point”. Gramma would drop anything to babysit and was the ultimate clothing mender, baker, craft creator and comforter. Sue was a creative force who channeled her energies into her gardening, painting, cooking and sewing projects; she was never one to sit still unless it was in the company of a good book.

Sue spent many years doing what she considered the most important work, choosing to stay at home and raise her kids while they were young. She was a devoted supporter of her children and all of their endeavours; from volunteering in their classrooms to sewing their clothes, she gave selflessly to her family. Once her family had grown, Sue would return to teaching, working first as a tutor and eventually finding her forever job as an ELL teacher and department head at Queen Margaret’s School in Duncan. It was here that she would form lifelong friendships with a select group of treasured colleagues and feed her desire to travel internationally, visiting Ecuador and Africa on humanitarian trips.

Sue leaves behind her devoted husband, Al, daughter Melissa (Chris), and sons Greg (Leah) and Andy (Kelly), who came together to put Sue’s view of family first into action and tirelessly cared for Sue at home until the very end. She will be forever missed by her most precious grandchildren Emily and Paul, Isla and Perri and Evie and Mara; and many devoted family and friends who supported Sue and her family through her illness.

We are grateful for the care Sue received from Dr Patricia Seymour; the BC Cancer staff; her devoted personal nurse and friend, Donna; as well as the home support team in Cowichan.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, September 7th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Duncan Community Lodge, 2244 Moose Road, Duncan. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.