Susan Margaret Getchell
Died: August 29, 2014 | Place: London Health Sciences Centre-Victoria
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Getchell, Susan……
Susan Margaret Getchell passed away suddenly on Friday August 29, 2014 at Victoria Hospital, London in her 65th year. Beloved wife of 43 years to Bryan Getchell, kickass mother of Leah, Diane and Hilary Getchell and adoring Nana to Jude and Katelyn. She will be deeply missed by her aunts, uncles and cousins both in Canada and in England as well by the close friends, colleagues and students she touched over her 40 years of librarianship and storytelling. The family will receive condolences on Saturday, September 6, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, 1246 Oxford Street West, London. The funeral mass will begin at 4:00pm. An informal celebration of life will follow at the family home, all are welcome and encouraged to drop by and share their favorite story of Susan between 6-10pm. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to A Book for Every Child, care of the London Public Library, www.londonpubliclibrary.ca/abookforeverychild. Cremation and Interment facilitated by A. Millard George Funeral Home and Woodland Cemetery. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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Like many others, I find myself still in a state of disbelief as I write this note. Only hours earlier, Cortland and Sue and I were off shopping for potato chips, picking out paint chips and planning the next week’s trip to her first class with Cortland at UWO. She was both excited and nervous at the new venture together but as with everything else in her life, she took it all in stride, putting one foot in front of the other…this time with 4 extra feet walking beside her. We will ALL miss Sue in the days ahead. As we wonder at what might have been had her life been longer, we can be thankful and rejoice at what it WAS in the days she was with us. She endeared herself to a multitude of people (and furry people) and will not ever be forgotten. Bryan, Leah and Hilary…be assured of my prayers in the days ahead. It is not easy to let go of the gifts God has given us. She really was a gift to you and to many.
I remember so well Susan’s care and compassion for life shining forth in her love of telling stories. We will all miss her unique and perceptive love of life.
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family at this time. Such sadness! We will not forget Susan’s passion and love for the arts and, particularly, children.
Bryan… I was sorry to read today of your wife’s passing. The years hurry by, and we too soon lose track of old friends and acquaintances.
Susan and our memories of her, will always remain an inspiration to many of us. Our deepest sympathies to Bryan and family.
john and cathy
I truly am shocked and saddened to learn of Susan’s passing. Susan is a very important part in my storytelling journey. First, as a librarian, fellow storyteller and then friend.
I have been a professional storyteller for the past 24 years and Susan had played a role in my ongoing love of literacy. She was very supported to me and offer her advice but more importantly her time to me.
Over the years, I would run into Susan and always left our encounters feeling like it most definitely was time well spent.
Sue’s professionalism, connection to others and infectious smile will continue to be a very fond memory.
Oh the tales that I know she will continue to tell.
In friendship and admiration,
Dez Sargeant
Susan loved her family so very much and enjoyed life to the fullest. We will all miss her.
Dear Bryan,
I was with Donna on Saturday and she told me about Sue’s passing. I’m deeply sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. Warm Regards, Annie & Willow
So Sorry to hear of your loss.
Ida (Therapeutic Touch group friend)
Bryan…my deepest sympathies. I will miss Susan’s wit, cryptic comments, sparkle, anecdotes. She was a real character in every good sense of the word.
Brian, I saw you walking at Springbank on Friday and then was shocked and saddened to read about Sue. It was always nice to walk at Resevoir with you and Sue and Brighton and Gracie. Those memories are forever a part of my story. I am so sorry for your loss.
Our deepest sympathies,
Krista and Ralph (and Max)
Oh My, where to start? Well firstly I am deeply saddened by the passing of Susan. The Getchell’s have been in my life for 25 years and Susan was like a second Mum to me. I have spent countless hours at their home as a child hanging out with Leah, and on occassion, babysitting Hilary. Susan was always so welcoming and would often invite me to stay for dinner’s, or would allow a sleepover for Leah and I (I’m sure much to her dismay). I remember during sleepovers we would hear Susan stomping on floor to signal we were being too giddy and to get to sleep. As we became teenagers and Susan would let Leah drive the car, she would often pump the “air brake” if Leah was going too fast. Susan was truly one of a kind! Always indulging us during our New Kids on the Block and Backstreet boys days. She would put the music on and dance right along with us. When I became a mother, Susan would often tell me what a wonderful job I was doing (words I needed to hear). I have many more memories and could go on and on. I have loved listening to Susan tell stories and listening to her infectious laugh. She was always so kind and so positive. She was just an overall wonderful person and I am so glad I’ve had the privelage of knowing her for so many years. Leah and Hilary, you have both grown into beautiful women and I know your Mum is proud of who you’ve become. And Byran, you are a remarkable man who Susan loved tremendously. Hold memories of her close to you. Cry when you need to, but also smile in the life she lived and shared so lovingly with you. I will hold you all in my prayers!
Sheri and Family
Susan, it is with sincere gratitude that I thank you for for the significant positive impacts you’ve had on youth and contribution you’ve made to their education and well-being.
Your works have inspired many to value and increase education, promote equality and civil rights, and live in peace as we move forward progressively in this life.
You enabled people to find their unique means to free themselves, find out who they truly are,be proud of who themselves, and improve the human condition.
Thank you for your gifts and blessings and may they continue to work through all the people you’ve touched.
My condolences to Susan’s family. She was an inspiration to me when she taught at FIMS. I loved her classes, and most enjoyed that she spent the final 15-20 minutes reading aloud from The Tale of Despereaux to a room full of grown adults! She continued to encourage me whenever she popped in where I work, as a children’s librarian at London Public Library. She was a magnificent woman with a heart for storytelling and I will always remember her passion for children and for sharing stories with them. What an inspiring woman!
Peace to you in this time of remembrance and mourning.
Bryan;
So very sorry to read of Susan’s passing. Although I never knew her I know she must have been a special lady as she was your partner. Sending love and a hug from Newfoundland.
see you in October.
Diane
Hello Bryan,
I met Susan through storytelling. She came to some of the storytelling events we had in St. Marys. Such a gentle soul. Today I was looking her up on the internet to invite her to a spring performance, and was so surprised and sad to learn of her passing. Condolences and blessings to you and your family.
Nancy
I am so sorry to hear that Susan passed away. I was in her story telling class last year. She was an amazing prof and made a huge impact on me. I saw the play Into the Woods the other week and was reminded of Susan so I looked her up to send her an email. My heart goes out to your family. I will never forget some of the life lessons that Susan taught me through her stories. She was an amazing person.
Thinking of your family.
Amelia