Susan Anne-Marie Coneys (nee Morgan-Locke) died peacefully in Victoria, B.C. on January, 12, 2017 at the age of 68. She is survived by her daughters Anna (Dan) Strasser and Kathy (Kevin) Alexander; her brother Christopher (Kate) Morgan-Locke; sister Dianne (Ray) Brooks, and five grandchildren. Also survived by Dr. Marcus (Evelyn) Coneys, ex-husband and father of her children from whom she welcomed warm-hearted care and support in her final weeks.
Her celebration of life will be held at McCall Gardens (Royal Oak location) on Friday, January 27, 2017 at 1:00pm.
Sue was born on November 10th, 1948, in Manchester, England to Peter and Marie Morgan-Locke. At a young age, Sue developed the ability to handle responsibility, as she looked after her younger siblings regularly after school. After studying Greek and Roman Mythology in Northampton, she married Marcus in 1969 and they moved to Dublin. During her years in Ireland, she worked as a veterinary assistant and Marcus completed his studies in medicine. Marcus and Sue emigrated to Canada in 1974, and welcomed their firstborn later that year. Their second baby arrived 14 months later. Dedicated and supportive, Sue threw herself into family life. Her gracious and positive spirit was foundational to the family’s happiness.
Sue put her remarkable energy, vision and organizational skill into all sorts of community work, including leading her daughters’ Girl Guide groups, chairing parent committees at Claremont school, organizing church fairs, chaperoning band trips and working as a publicist for theatre productions. She always knew how to get things done. No challenge – parenting or otherwise – ever seemed to phase her.
Sue loved orchestrating connections between people and had a genuine talent for building community. Tremendously open and accepting, she regarded people in the most positive light, giving her support to many through difficult times. Her enthusiasm and unconditional love was like a fire that propelled and inspired.
After her children grew up, her boundless volunteering continued and often turned into paid work as she helped run a dessert catering business, provided administrative support to local musicians and arts groups including The Victoria Good News Choir, The Victoria Children’s choir, the Arts and Alzheimer’s Foundation and the Open Door Choir, which is an outreach to vulnerable members of our community.
Despite the administrative nature of her work, she was destined to find her way to the stage, raising her voice joyfully from within her choirs as the years went on.
Sue’s house was a constant hub of social and business gatherings. Knock on her door, and you would find her warm smile inviting you in to the kitchen nook where “nibblies” and tea would instantly appear.
Beyond her involvement in the arts, Sue loved to travel, spend time in her garden, watch Star Trek episodes from every decade, walk daily with “the walking ladies,” and enjoy a fine glass of rum along with thoughtful conversation and a good laugh.
In keeping with her habit of almost never falling ill, Sue bounced back with vigour after colon surgery in December 2014. When cancer reappeared in the summer of 2016 and then spread further in the fall, she faced the disease with grace, strength and steadfast hope.
You may offer a donation in Sue’s honour to Our Place Society, Victoria Hospice, or The BC Cancer Agency. Most of all, we hope you will tap your feet if you like the beat, because “the singing is the feeling is the song.” –from the song, “Pitter Patter” by John Krumm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Marjorie Thrasher
-
Susanne Bertschinger My memories of Sue only go back to 2003 when we came from Toronto to Victoria and she invited people at a concert in Alix Golden hall to come and sing with Louise Rose. We went and were very welcome by Sue and others. Sue also took care of my partner Elisabeth when she had a medical emergency once during the singing. She became a very good friend of both of us and she did help me tremendously during the time that Elisabeth passing in 2015.
I will never forget her and I am glad that she can now rest in peace and no more pain.
-
Alexandra Rickards Dear Anna & Kathy:
While I have not met you, I heard a lot about you both, and your families from your lovely Mother whom I got to know through our mutual volunteering with the Arts & Alzheimer’s Foundation. Sue was indeed a warm and generous spirit, always eager to help in her quiet, efficient way, and always with a smile. I hope that the happy times you had together will be your lasting memory of your Mother, and that you will continue to make her proud as you and your children have already done.With best wishes for happier days ahead.
(Alex)andra Rickards
-
Gail Caryn and Leonard Weaver Sue was so warm, welcoming, kind, and easy to be with. We will miss her lovely summer gatherings sitting by the fire, talking late into the night. Her beauty is evident in her lovely daughters. We wish you all much love.
-
diane poulin January 23 2017
Dear Kathy
Please accept my sincere sympathy on the death of your mother. Diane Poulin
-
Al and Dianne Marks We met Sue when we joined the Victoria Good News Choir. Our friendship continued over many years. Sue was ALWAYS upbeat, positive and a joyful person to be with.
Parties at Sue’s home were like none other. A diverse group of people who got to hang out and enjoy Sue’s generous hospitality.We will truly miss Sue very much. Her spirit lives on in her two beautiful daughters. Our sincere condolences.
-
Harry Dent Kathy’s comments left nothing out. I especially marvelled at Sue’s warm and gracious hospitality. The expression, “the apple does not fall far from the tree” certainly can be applied to Anna and Kathy.
Sue will be sorely missed by many.
-
Kyla Ward Thankful to have known Sue, to have been welcomed in her home, and touched by her warmth, and even to have tasted her rum 😉 She will be dearly missed, a gentle and confident force. Yet I see so many of her traits and qualities living on in her daughters, which I am sure brought her much joy and satisfaction. Love and hugs to you all.
We, Susan, Lynda and I have great memories of our sometimes three times a week play dates with Sue, Anna and Kathy at their home at the end of the street on Woodfield Dr. In Ottawa. with almost daily phone calls thrown in from Sue. Anna, Kathy and Susan & Lynda were all only between 0-5 or 6 yrs during these times which lasted until they moved to Parkdale Ave, still in Ottawa. All play and eating was done at either floor or high chair and walker level which also gave a great range for upending food or toys between the members who giggled non stop and became very agile as well. This was another demonstration of Sue’s cheerful tolerance, sunny manner and easy friendliness which governed all that she did. Her friendliness towards us was never ending. And the rum started to appear in the syllabub ( a desert) which was a surprise ending to suppers held at their house when Marc and Ed could also attend !
We all missed them when they moved to Victoria and I was very sad to hear of her illness and subsequent passing, But Marc, Anna and Kathy, memories cannot be taken away so think and cherish and hold them close daily.
With love, Marjorie, Susan and Lynda Thrasher