Nov 17, 1955 - Oct 23, 2017
Susan Elaine Lowther
"Soo Noo" has left us too soon. This bright star who shone for us all has fallen, but her suffering has ended.
A gifted and precocious child, Susan was an old soul who understood human nature through Bessie Smith and Laura Nyro records at the age of 14. A brilliant student, she finished high school early and set off on a life of world travel and adventure. Her exploits in South America, Africa and Brazil with friends Fairlie Mendoza and Eve McLeod remain legendary. Later on, a year in India, Indonesia and Australia as well as countless trips to Mexico kept her love of the tropics alive.
In her 20's, Susan returned to B.C. where she attended nursing college in Kamloops and was valedictorian of her graduating class. A life-long career in OR nursing then began-first at the old Victoria General Hospital, then for several years at BC Children's Hospital, Victoria General, and finally Cowichan District Hospital. While at Children's Hospital she obtained a BA degree (Honours) in International Relations at UBC.
Conscientious and capable, Susan became a natural leader in the OR and a mentor to many. Everyone relaxed when she entered the room. Susan delighted in making surgeons convulse with laughter through her stories and wicked sense of humour. At the same time, her steely resolve about patient advocacy made her one of the best there ever was - a nurse who many still revere today.
East of the sun and west of the moon was how she and John described their happy home in Glenora. Others knew it as Shangri-La. A fabulous cook and self-admitted "beer nut" Susan was quite literally the life of any party. She and John hosted many musically-inspired events over the years, including the fabulous Puentes Brothers performing Cuban music in their backyard.
She was a ferocious and determined gardener who specialized in lilies and tropicals, and knew each plant by its Latin name. No more will we hear her incandescent soprano voice singing Billie Holiday and Chet Baker songs in her spectacular garden, her beloved animals looking on.
One of Susan's greatest disappointments was having to leave her career in her 50's due to chronic pain issues associated with rapidly progressive scoliosis. She always missed the collegial aspects of health care and of course, she never imagined the pain and suffering she would endure in years to come.
Described by her family as a "king pin", Susan was predeceased by her treasured friend Eve McLeod ( May 23, 2017) and by her father Jack (August 10, 2017). She will be forever cherished and forever missed by her heartbroken family: husband John Wade and his daughter Lauren (Jordan); mother Betty Lou Geernaert; siblings Cheryl (Gordon); Brett (Catherine); Kathryn; and Vanya (Duncan). Her beloved nieces Marina (Gabriel), Eden and Annika had the very best in their fun-loving, energetic, and supportive aunt.
Dearest Susan, we hope Nina finds you soon....
Besos y abrazos.