Suzanne passed away on Friday morning, December 6, 2024, at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, with family and friends at her side. She was born to parents Norman and Marguerite Haywood, in Prince Rupert on April 6, 1951, and in time was joined by three sisters, Kim, Diana, Joann and brother Kent. They grew up largely in West Vancouver and then Parksville.
Suzanne, with husband Gil, lived most of their 51 years together in Brentwood Bay and raised a family of four sons and was a loving and devoted mother to Tyler(Felicia), Jonathan(Angela), Andrew, and Jeffrey(Nichola). She loved to cook, was passionate about her garden and loved her dogs, Soo Ling and Lily. In more recent years she has been a constant and adoring Gramma. Seven grandchildren whom she has fed and cared for, entertained and watched at play. She taught many to swim, all of them to play cards. They are much loved. Harrison, Natalie, Jayden, Dylan, Nora, Malia and Aria.
She was a stay-at-home mum for 9 years with three kids, and then with extraordinary ability and effort, and the support of her family, Suzanne returned to school in 1982 and qualified as a registered nurse in 1984. After nursing for 2 years, the birth of Jeff in 1986, and then an ER training program at Kwantlen College and St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, Suzanne began a long career as an ER nurse at Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. She took her love of people and friendships to a work that spanned more than 30 years.
Family came first for Suzanne and she followed her sons into their various sports as a volunteer. Scorekeeping little league games, timekeeping at countless competitive swimming events and ready on the sidelines of rugby games was where to find her. She worked the medical tent at many 5k, 10k and marathon running events, was a volunteer head nurse during the Commonwealth Games at the pool and then leveraged that to volunteer as a nurse, during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, in the Athletes Village.
Always up for an adventure, she and a fellow nurse teamed up to relieve nurses at the hospital in Bella Coola for a number of two week stints. They would fly in or go by road and they still have friends there.
She travelled with family or friends: Swim meets with kids, California/Disneyland, India, Scotland, Europe road trip, New Zealand, Egypt, U.S road trip, Mexico, Hawaii, getaways with friends to Gulf Island B&B’s, East Coast autumn road trip. Just some that come to mind.
Suzanne was an unpretentious and fearlessly social woman with a laugh and a smile that captivated. She never forgot your name. She loved. And is loved.
Thanks to the VGH and Cancer Clinic staff, who allowed Suzanne to stay for a few more months.
Thank you to the Saanich Peninsula Health Unit Palliative Team for their care of Suzanne and Gil, which kept her at home for a beautiful summer and fall with friends and family.
Thanks to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Palliative Care Team (Nurses, H.C.A’s , Doctors, food services staff, everyone) for extraordinary care during the last weeks of Suzanne’s battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
21 Responses
Sincere condolences and love to her whanua / Suzanne was one of a kind. Passionate about healthcare and delivery of services. She spoke with such pride over many years about her boys – she was a character and never lacked an opinion!! Rest in peace.
I worked with Suzanne in RJH ER in Area B in the early 2000’s. She was so full of energy and was always looking out for the patient’s best interest. I have not seen Suzanne in many years but this picture is exactly how I remember her! Rest in Peace Suzanne, my condolences to her family.
I’m so very sorry to hear of Suzanne’s passing. My heart goes out to her family and friends. She was an amazing woman. She accomplished so much in her career while raising a family of four sons. She talked often of her family and how very proud she was of them. I will remember her as always being happy, always offering to help in anyway she could. She loved being a nurse, working in the Emergency department and caring for others. I was one of many fortunate to have known and worked with her.
I am so very sorry to hear of Suzanne’s passing. I had the pleasure of working with her for a short time at RJH. Suzanne, you will be missed. Condolences to her family, especially her son Jon, whom I also had the pleasure of working with as colleagues in Home and Community Care.
When I moved from Saskatoon to Victoria in the summer of 2000, I was the youngest member of the RJH ER team, and also didn’t know anyone in Victoria. Suzanne, like the rest of the team at RJH ER, warmly welcomed and included me. I remember her boundless energy and can-do spirit. I also remember Suzanne’s passion for nursing and doing right by patients, showing care and concern for everyone who walked through the doors. I’m so sorry she has left us – it’s much too soon. It’s been many years since I’ve seen Suzanne, but I could never forget the impression that feisty gal left on my time at RJH ED.
Suddenly she was there! Late 80’s, VERY pregnant with son #4, appearing onto our staff in RJH ER with more energy than she knew what to do with! How did she complete the long RN training while raising her busy and active 3 sons–soon 4? It was my privilege to work with Suzanne over the years, in the melee of our ER–shift work, organizing and caring for her family and friends, along with her patients for whom she was a determined and thorough advocate? If I was a patient, I would have had the best advocate, and best care, with her as my nurse. The Drs trusted her judgement. She was one of God’s special people. If she said she would do something, you knew you could depend on her to get it done. How did she accomplish all that she did? She had a bright mind, a great energy and dedication to family, friends and patients. I’m sure her grandchildren learned by her example, and she’ll live on through them. We are not humans on a spiritual journey, but spirits on a human journey. Suzanne—your journey continues.
My sincere condolences to the family who lost a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother. I worked with Suzanne for many many years in the RJH ER. She was a dedicated, loving, caring strong advocate for all her patients. She was a passionate giver to everyone who needed a hand not only at work but outside of her career in her personal life. There was no one like Suzanne who had a heart of gold and loved to life life with family friends. She will be missed but lives on in all of those she touched in her own special way.
I worked with Suzanne for so very many years in the RJH E.R. There are no words to express how deeply saddened I was to hear of her passing. It is unimaginable that such a bright light could no longer be with us. My deepest condolences. Deb.
Suzanne was quite the woman..her family was her love and focus..but she was wonderful to all her many friends in ER!
Always helping someone out ..making cakes for people ..always knew about your kids special events bday etc etc
Always offering to help..a very kind caring person great nurse❤️
She raised 4 great sons and loved and adored all her grandchildren …Gone way to soon..Rest in peace Suzanne ❤️
Suzanne was such a great nurse. She was always so open and friendly and I had a smile for everyone. She made me laugh so much. I’ll never forget the party that we all went to. I won’t describe it, but those that were there will remember it was an event that will go down in history. Rest in peace, dear Suzanne, our love for you always be in our hearts..