SUSAN SHENSTONE

(nee Burgess) 1927-2024 Susan Shenstone died in Toronto on October 26, 2024, aged 97, of dementia. Her family cherishes the memory of a woman whose smile and sparkling intelligence would light up any room she was in. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she was also a caring and attentive friend to many. Some of Susan's strongest passions included lively political debate, historical research, the value of the arts, and the plight of Palestine refugees. She would have been the first to say she had a wonderful life. The only child of A.L. and Dorothy (Fairweather) Burgess, Susan was born in Toronto in 1927 and grew up largely in Ottawa. She studied English literature at Trinity College, University of Toronto. It was there that she met the love of her life, Michael Shenstone. After graduating, Susan taught in Paris and worked as a reporter for The Ottawa Citizen. Following her marriage to Michael and the start of his distinguished career with the Canadian Foreign Service, they embarked on postings in Lebanon, Egypt, the US, Britain, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and Austria. Susan brought to the demanding but unpaid role of diplomatic spouse a warm, generous spirit that was thoughtful, professional and engaged. While completing an MA in American literature at George Washington University in Washington, DC, Susan encountered the untold story of a New Jersey Loyalist and spy who settled in Nova Scotia after the American Revolution near the future Shenstone family cottage. Her biography of him, So Obstinately Loyal: James Moody, 1744-1809 was published by McGill-Queen's University Press. Susan was actively engaged in civic issues and social causes, such as saving public libraries and protecting the local environment. She enjoyed the outdoors (gardening, figure skating, swimming, fishing, sailing, canoeing), was a superb cook who hosted countless dinner parties, and relished her time at cottages in Quebec's Gatineau Hills and Smith's Cove, NS. Predeceased by Michael in 2019, Susan leaves her children, Thomas (Brenda Paul), Barbara (Belinda Duff) and Mary (Christopher Harris); grandchildren, Amy and Leith Shenstone (Kelsey), Sarah (Dylan) and Claire Shenstone-Harris; and two great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff of Isabel and Arthur Meighen Manor for their dedication and devoted care. Donations in Susan's memory can be made to Trinity College or the Smith's Cove Historical Society (Smith's Cove, NS).