Our beautiful mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend Susan Walsh slipped peacefully away into the arms of her beloved Freddie on April 26, 2018 at the age of 93. Left to celebrate her long amazing life and mourn her profound loss: daughter Linda Doody (Tom), sons Fred Walsh (Mary) and Jim Walsh (Betty) as well as grandchildren Lesley Doody (Michael), John Walsh, Susan Kennedy (Billy), Christopher Walsh (Jany), Cyndi McLean (Joe), Seanessey Walsh (Stephanie), and great-grandchildren Logan, Tanner, Ayden, Calla, and Benjamin. Also, sadly missed by brother Walter Brushett (Madeleine), sisters Nancy Pike (Frank), Margaret Hillier, sister-in-law Carrie Walsh, and a large circle of other relatives and friends. Susan is predeceased by husband Fred (1999) and granddaughter Alison (Aly) Walsh (2013) as well as members of the Young, Walsh, and Brushett families.
Our mom was a woman of fun and faith. She was resilient and strong with an ever-present sense of humour that sometimes bordered on the naughty side. She was adventurous and would try anything – like driving a motor home to Maine when she was well into her 70s and delighting in going down water slides and driving go-carts during her trip. She loved traveling.
She had a kaleidoscope of talents and interests. Throughout her life, she loved being active and involved: singing, dancing, rollerskating, camping, trouting, gardening, and doing carpentry. She was quite an athlete and excelled at darts and bowling with over 100 trophies to her credit. She was also a member of the first female championship team of the Placentia Intertown Regatta in 1963 and rowed in the St. John’s Regatta at Quidi Vidi as well. She was a champion. Of course, she also enjoyed the quieter pursuits such as reading, doing ceramics, and playing cards. The latter only if she won.
Mom was a master of the domestic arts as she would call them. She was an extraordinary cook who made legendary jiggs dinner, apple pies, and chocolate chip cookies. She knitted, crocheted, sewed, and produced exquisitely detailed embroideries. She was always there to celebrate special occasions with her family and friends.
Although mom worked for a few years at the Naval Station in Argentia in the 1940s, she was a homemaker most of her life. Nevertheless, she believed fiercely in the value of education and being informed about current events. She was a life-long learner and encouraged this trait in her children. She was so proud when her family completed their education, be it at the end of kindergarten, technical school, or university. She would often stop complete strangers in a store line-up and say, “Did you know my daughter is a teacher!” or “My granddaughter is a geophysicist!” not really knowing what that meant, but realizing how important such an achievement was.
Our mother was a woman of faith, not in the traditional sense, but in the ecumenical sense. She embraced all faiths. She was very open and accepting. She prayed and read the Bible each day until her 91st year, sang her favorite hymns, and drew great strength from knowing that there was a higher power.
Mom’s life spanned the Depression, World War II, the advent of technology, and Trump World, an incredible nine decades. Through it all, she maintained her ever present zest for life, her sense of fun, and her absolute devotion to her family. We were all so blessed by her journey through our lives.
Mom
Your special smile and twinkling eyes,
Your laughter and your touch –
These are the things that we recall,
The things we miss so much.
The joy you brought to all of us,
Sweet memories to treasure –
The love you gave so freely,
Made us rich beyond all measure.
We think of you today,
And wish with broken hearts,
That you were still here with us,
That we didn’t have to part.
Your memory we hold close,
We’ll cherish it together,
We love you now and always will,
We’ll treasure it forever.
-L. Doody
The family wishes to extend a special note of thanks to the staff of Karwood Retirement Home, the third floor staff of Chancellor Park, Doctors Hart, Kieley, Crocker, and O’Shea for their kindness and care during mom’s illness. Our sincere appreciation to our aunt Zita MacCallum for her blessing and prayers for mom which helped our mother complete her final journey and be at peace.
Visitation will take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home at 329 Freshwater Road on Saturday, April 28 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00, and on Sunday April 29 from 2:00 to 9:00. Funeral service will be held at Carnell’s Memorial Chapel on Monday, April 30 at 2:00 with burial at the Anglican Cemetery, Kenmount Road, immediately following the service. A reception for guests will be held at Carnell’s following the interment.
Flowers are gratefully accepted or donations may be made to the Spirit Horse Program (www.spirit horsenl.com), or a charity of one’s choice.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Susan Walsh December 5 1924 to April 26 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: St-John’s, Province: T-N