Susan Margaret Tilley

I didn't know Susan very well. She helped clean my house almost 25 years ago in the Glebe. She was a lovely little woman, a bit shy and introverted. I came across a watercolor of poppies she gave me recently, as I try to downsize. I almost got rid of it but then noted her little inscription, "just know that this was done in your honor" and I couldn't bear to part with it. Now I'm glad I kept it. A little piece of Susan.

Susan and I first met in 1977, through our mutual friend, Ken Hillis. Over the years, our friendship deepened into one of the richest of my life. I admired her fiercely independent spirit, her courage in grappling with the lingering effects of her difficult early years, her insights and her wide-ranging intellectual curiosity. She worked constantly at enlarging and perfecting her outstanding talents as an artist, and her characterful portraits, exquisite watercolours and acrylic landscapes...

Susan and I went to school together many, many, many years ago. Although we not close friends, she is one of the few people I remember. Her artistic talent goes without saying, but her ability to accept everyone was her gift. I want to thank Art for his description of Susan's life as an adult as I always wondered how her path unfolded. To Art, Susan's family and friends, I can only say that I hope that your grief will be tempered by knowing that Susan left a lasting impression on everyone she...

Susan and I became friends after she moved to Plantagenet. She was an accomplished artist and I am pleased to have one of her pencil drawings on my wall. She was also very well-read and her impish, quirky quality made her interesting company. I will miss her and our conversations about books and all things contemporary. Now I have no one to whom I can pass my New Yorker magazines. Condolences to Myra and Donna.

Susan was born in Kingston. Being 5 years older than her, I never envisaged having to write this memorial.We were born into an army family & moved a lot. While living in Edmonton, 1950, Susan became very ill,was rushed to the hospital, where the doctor performed an emergency Tracheotomy. Susan recovered & our family's joy was boundless. After Edmonton,we moved to Ottawa & then to London, England.Susan attended the Hampshire School for Girls, run by the mother of English Actress, Susan...

Art & I were deeply saddened to hear that Susan had passed away. We communicated with her in October on the occasion of their father's birth date. She was in good spirits, so it was a shock to learn that she had died.No one can prepare you for such a loss. Susan was a talented artist and a lover of animals. Animal lovers are a special breed of humans. We can judge the heart of a person by their treatment of animals. Many years ago, I was in Ottawa when Susan returned from a trip. Her beloved...