Susan (Sue) Louise Jensen, née Robinson, born in London, England, on April 24, 1933, passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC, on July 14, 2023, 90 years of age. Sue’s parents were Robert and Kathleen Robinson. She had one older sister, Jane, who lives in Chichester, West Sussex. 
Sue grew up in the 1930s in the Punjab Province in India, where her father was a commissioned officer in the Indian Army. Her early education was provided by a governess in India, followed by school in England at the Claremont School for Girls. She then studied to become a speech therapist at the Royal London School of Speech and Drama. Her first teaching job was at the Roedean School in England.
After moving to Canada, Sue married Ole Jensen, and they had two children, 
Anne and Rob. The family settled in Oakville, Ontario, where Sue found work as a drama teacher at St Mildred’s-Lightbourn School. During this time, she directed many school plays. She then changed careers and taught secondary ESL at Richview Collegiate in Etobicoke, Ontario. At over 50 years old, Sue enrolled in and completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Brock University, at the same time she was working full time as a teacher.
Sue led an active outdoor life. She loved to hike and explore the many beautiful trails 
in Southern Ontario, including the Bruce Trail. She enjoyed field hockey, tennis, sailing and many other sports. She also devoted herself to many good causes, and read news on the Radio for the Blind, and was a volunteer for the Red
Cross, The Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and the Girl Guides.
After her husband died, she relocated to Vancouver Island, to live closer to her daughter.
Sue was a proud mother of Anne and Rob, and beloved grandmother to Sarah, Graham, Johan and Emilia. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
34 Responses
Mrs. Jensen, my goodness! I benefited, as a Millie, from the sheer pleasure of Mrs. Jensen’s Drama classes. I can compare her most closely to Katherine Hepburn in her up beat, sporty, tailored, capable feminine strength. “The tip of the tongue, the teeth the lips!” Of course we learned more than posture and oration, we developed self confidence under Mrs. Jensen’s friendly presence. I was a Duke of Ed Millie with so many of those cherished experiences in knitted sweaters and chilly cups of something warm. And how is it only after reading her obituary that I learn Mrs. Jensen was married to Ole from Goose at OYS?! Both of your fine parents are legendary on their own two feet – to have been a couple they must have created an Iconic Family! My heartfelt condolences to you for the loss of your lovely Mom. Please know your Mom sincerely and most positively impacted a generation of women from SMLS.
Dear Anne,
I only met your mother a couple of times but she immediately impressed upon me as a strong, intelligent woman! I knew that any mother of Anne had to be an amazing inspiration! You are so dynamic, energetic and so thoughtful of others, the environment, the world… Your parents had to have been such wonderful role models for you to come along!
I first had the chance to really talk with your mom on the celebration of your retirement. I know I sat with her as she and I did not really know all the others in the room, and what a lovely surprise I had speaking to her about your career and her career as teachers. I immediately felt a nice connection. She was proud of you.
I am so sorry that you are suffering this terrible grief after losing your mother. I pray for strength, hope and peace for you in the coming days. I am sure your mother would not have wanted you to be overwhelmed but treasure those awesome memories you had together with your family as seen in all the wonderful photos you have shared.
Your friend,
Carrie
Sorry to hear of the death of the inimitable”Mrs. Jensen”, our well loved drama teacher at St. Mildred’s. This brought back happy memories of our theatrical productions and endless rehearsals, her energy and optimism. Condolences to the family.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I can only imagine the void you are feeling, as I know that caring for your mom and maximizing her well-being occupied your heart, mind, soul and strength for many, many years. Your mom was fortunate to have such a loving, caring, and devoted daughter. I know that with your humility and gratitude you would emphasize that you, too, were fortunate in that you were raised by a remarkably passionate, accomplished, and inspiring woman. I hope that in the weeks, months, and years ahead, you will see the goodness that was in your mom reflected in the world around you – that the warmth that you experienced from your dear mom in all your years together will wrap arms around you and bring you strength, courage, resilience, and peace. I hope that in experiencing that which is now, you will know that all that was real and meaningful about your mom and your relationship with her will be forever with you, and that, in that knowing, you will smile calmly, sigh with satisfaction, and feel abundant joy.
I knew Sue years before I met her. Her portrait was in a picture frame on a shelf in Ole’s chamber on Kyhnsvej in Ordrup. Ole didn’t talk about her but she was in the room and there was no mistake about it. Ole emigrated to Canada long before I did likewise to the United States, but eventually we ended up within a geographical distance that facilitated a physical reunion. Mary and I had relocated to Corning, N.Y. while Sue and Ole resided in Oakville, Ontario. In 1973 we established contact and shortly afterwards Mary and I embarked on our first visit to Oakville. Ole had been my closest friend back in the old country and soon Sue and Ole became our closest friends in the New World. For Ole and me the focus and mutual interest was still jazz but for Sue and Mary it became children and family and the world around us.
I cannot count the visits we made to the Toronto area in the next fifteen years; frequently Mary and our three kids – Stephen, Julie and Richard – but just as often I alone on business trips. We got to know Anne and Rob during those years and our family friendships evolved to incorporate them as well. Sue continued to grow as an anchor and a friend and her warmth and intellect were the driving forces. My respect and admiration for Sue as a person grew during the same period as she demonstrated perseverance and resilience; first in her career struggles and subsequently during Ole’s and her own ilnesses. During Ole’s final years it was no longer us visiting Oakville but Sue and Ole visiting Newnan, Georgia on their way down to Florida.
I was but 15 years old when I formed a friendship with Ole and as I am now approaching my 88th birthday it can be ascertained that I have known the Jensen family for a long time. It was difficult to bid farewell to Ole and equally hard to say goodbye to Sue. In recent years I have faded somewhat but it gives me joy to know that my daughter Julie has stayed in contact with Anne. I pray it will continue.
Affectionately
Uffe
I knew Sue my entire life. Her husband, Ole, was my father’s best friend. Sue was a kind and gentle, beautiful person. She was a teacher at heart, even in her personal life and in my experience with her. In the fleeting visits we had over the years she was always warm and open and a guiding light. It was a life well lived! I know she is so terribly missed by Annie and Rob and the entire family. Deepest condolences from us for this loss.
Dear Annie,
My heart aches, ever since I saw this message on Wednesday evening, I couldn’t bring myself to write back. She was your dear mother, but I always considered myself to be her unofficial adopted daughter. She was my teacher, my mentor, my friend and my role model. She was one of the most amazing humans that ever known, I loved her very much and I will forever miss her.
I am thinking of you, Robert, Sarah, Graham and the rest of the family. Hugs
Hang in there!
Ps. (This message was originally sent to Annie but suggested to add to here)
♥ ♥
This message is on behalf of myself and my mother Marion. Sue and Marion were best friends. I was lucky enough to to be part of this friendship despite my young age. Sue, Mum and Fran McCallum were looking for a 4th for bridge. I was invited to be that 4th. I thought I was a pretty hot player but I learned so much from the group. When Sue hosted she always made Brandy Snaps for our snack as she knew they were my favourite. I then lucked out and was asked to join their annual trip to Strafford in the summer. The best part was listening to these two erudite and well educated women discussing the play on the way home and commenting on how wrong (and sometimes how right) the Globe and Mail review had been.
I also have memories of Sue playing tennis at our house, tea parties, New Years Eve parties (I was on dish duty.)
I visited Mum this past weekend (she is 99) and she was having one of her more lucid days. We talked about Sue and while I am not sure she understood Sue had passed, when I mentioned her name Mum gave a great big smile and said “Yes Sue, I remember.” Our family will always remember Sue with great affection.
Sue was our mum’s best friend and they spent many many happy times together from bridge foursomes to tennis to theatre and just plain old cups of tea. Sue was also my drama teacher at St. Mildreds and she kindled in me a love of performing – and performance – that I have to this day. Sue came with me, Mum and my sister Philippa every summer on our outings to see shows at Stratford. I have the best memories of lively conversation in the car on the way there, sumptuous picnics before the show, and thoughtful criticism and commentary about the shows on the way home. Sue always sent my mother pink roses on her birthday and I remember using her home made floating candles for fancy dinners. I also remember getting quite motion sick on the sailboat! Sue was always in our lives somehow and it was sad for Mum and us when she moved West. I know that if Mum was not afflicted with dementia right now that she would have written something eloquent, personal and heartfelt about what Sue meant to her. We should all be so lucky to have friendships like theirs. I feel like Mum is now the very last of that cohort of talented and tough British women that moved to Oakville in the post war years. We have so much to learn from them.
Clare Samworth (for myself and Marion)
Sue was a very special person and a great friend to me. I truly enjoyed listening to her speak about her husband Ole, her children and grandchildren, sailing, teaching, art, and travelling. I often told her that the way she spoke and wrote was like poetry. Sue had a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, fascinating life experiences, a great sense of humour, and a zest for life.
Although she is no longer with us, I know she is proudly watching over all of her family and friends.
My condolences go out to Sue’s family. May you cherish and seek comfort in the memories. Sending lots of love.
Laura