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
I worked with Suzanne for more than 15 years at RJH Emergency department.
As well as being a great wife and mother she was a great coworker.
One of the things I enjoyed about Suzanne was she loved to laugh.
Suzanne was always ready for an adventure, like the time she went surfing at Tofino with one of her sons (Jon I think) and they slept in the back of the truck that had a canopy.
I won’t forget the story of when she was working in Bella Coola and was stalked by a cougar while out for a walk.
She often gave me a kiss on the cheek if we were having a bad day at work.
Lisa…I know that party reference; I was there!!
My thoughts are with her family who she deeply loved
We are truly saddened to hear of Suzanne’s passing. In the brief time we knew her, she made a lasting impact on us with her kindness, her beautiful smile, and her generous spirit. She welcomed us into her home with warmth, and we will forever cherish the memories of learning how to knit and the nursing advice she gave us. Our deepest condolences to Jon and the entire Owen family. May her love and light continue to surround you, and may you find comfort in the beautiful presence and moments she left behind.
To the Owen Family:
We are so sorry for your loss.
Those we hold most dear never truly leave us…
they live on in the kindness they showed,
the comfort they shared, and the love they brought into our lives.
It will be the little things that you will remember,
the quiet moments, the smiles, the laughter,
and although it may seem hard right now,
it will be the memories of these little things that help to push away the pain,
and bring the smiles back again.
My thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Glenn and Mily
Lois–PERT nurse. I worked with Suzanne for years @ RJH ER. I think of her friendship and our work relationship with much admiration and gratitude. Suzanne was a wonderful, friend, mentor & colleague who provided excellent care and advocated for each and every patient. May the sadness in our hearts reflect how very much she was loved and admired.
My condolences to family & friends.
Suzanne was larger than life in everything she did. Kindness and compassion was her foundation and she gave so much to so many.
It was a pleasure working with her in the ER early 2000’s. I learned a lot from her and she always made time for you.
Suzanne was a wonderful nurse with boundless energy. She was always there for whatever was needed and she gave her all to her fellow nurses and patients. Nothing was too much for her and she would always be available for whatever and whenever it was needed. I was always in awe that she was able to bring up four sons, and grandchildren AND do everything else too. She is missed.
I remember Suzanne well from her days of Emergency Nursing at RJH. She had a great smile and really cared for her patients. Such a hard worker and advocate for her patients!
I am sure that she will be missed greatly by her family that she loved so dearly.
My sincere condolences to the large Owen family. I am so sorry you lost your matriarch. I worked with Suzanne at the RJH ER and can attest that she was one of a kind. She had p.r.e.s.e.n.c.e. She cared deeply, laughed infectiously and embraced warmly. I am very sorry for your loss.
Very sorry to read of Sue’s passing. We graduated from Qualicum Beach Secondary School in ‘69. Although I could never convince her to attend one of our several grad reunions, when I think of her, I see that infectious smile. Condolences to the family.
I worked with Suzanne for many years at RJH ER in area B. She was a kind and compassionate human who displayed empathy and kindness towards all her patients and she was a strong patient advocate. She talked often about her family and it was very evident how much they meant to her. She was always willing to lend a hand and help out her colleagues in any way that she was able. Condolences to her family and to those whose lives she touched. Rest in peace.