Susan Margaret Gentilcore

1966 - 2022

March 12, 2022 - Suddenly, at home, with her son and husband by her side. Susan was born May 17, 1966, in Hamilton, and grew up in Dundas, Ontario, where she attended Dundana and Parkside High Schools.
Susan joins her father Rocco Louis (1993), professor emeritus of geography at McMaster University. She is survived by her loving partner Gerard Seguin, and devoted son Oliver, mother Mary Gentilcore (Brajer), brother David (Fabiana), and sister Roxanne (John). Much loved Aunt to Rita, Clara, Sophia, and Luca. Beloved niece of Kay, and cousin to Ron and Doug. Susan also leaves behind a large circle of friends, too many to list for fear of missing even one.
After completing her undergraduate degree in French and Geography at the University of Guelph, Susan pursued a specialized HBA in translation at York University, which served her well in her subsequent career at TVOntario. Susan worked for several years as a project manager, event planner, and finance administrator in the philosophy departments at the Universities of Guelph and Ottawa, and the faculty of environment at the University of Waterloo.
Susan loved the outdoors, campfires, swimming, kayaking, travel, going to the beach, pandas, the colour orange, and reading Steinbeck in a comfy chair in the sunshine, with her favourite cup of tea. Incredibly creative, she was an accomplished ceramicist, designer, sewer, and serger.
Five years ago, Susan turned these last two talents into a full-time eco-business, "All Things Preserved," creating up-cycled products, and providing education that helped so many people be better stewards of our planet. A sought-after educator and speaker, Susan passionately shared the many ways people can change their lives to preserve the earth, especially by reducing single-use plastics. In a brief period, Susan became a well-respected small business owner within the Kitchener-Waterloo community.
During this time, she built a large network of like-minded people, entrepreneurs and kindred souls. She cared deeply about all of those around her, and her sensitivity and thoughtfulness showed in every small gesture, blessing everyone she knew. Her smile lit up everything around her. A self-proclaimed maker, minimalist, facilitator, retreat junkie and chip-aholic (!), Susan inspired many through her kindness, dedication and gentle nature.
Susan loved her family ferociously, especially her son, Oliver, with whom she shared a special bond.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of her life has been tentatively planned for Saturday, May 7, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., at the Dedication Centre at Williamsburg, in Kitchener (1541-B Fischer-Hallman Road). A separate memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 14, at 10 a.m., at St. Gregory The Great Slovenian Catholic Church, in Stoney Creek (125 Centennial Parkway North).
Donations in her memory may be made to the Grand River Conservation Area Foundation, through Canada Helps at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/in-memory-and-honour-of-susan-gentilcore/. A separate GoFundMe account has been established to support Susan's son, Oliver: "Support Oliver After Sudden Loss" - https://gofund.me/5384e564.
Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or (519) 772-1237.