Suzanne LaRochelle passed away peacefully at the Glen Stor Dun Lodge in Cornwall, Ontario on Oct 10, 2021, at the young age of 72, after a long fight with alzheimers dementia.
Sue was the fourth of nine children born in Hearst, Ontario, to predeceased parents Philippe LaRochelle and Thérèse Lachance, who worked a small farm in Mattice, Northern Ontario, before moving to Timmins when Sue was still a child. Sue is survived by her husband John Fairchild, her daughter Lena Harpur, grandchildren Ryan and Darron, brothers Leo and Réal, and sisters Magella Turner and Marie-Rose LaRochelle — and by many nieces and nephews and in laws. She was predeceased by brother Jean Louis, and by sisters Aline Rentilis, Alice LaRochelle and Solange LaGrange.
Sue was a bright child, skipping a grade in elementary school, but did not get to go to university due to the family’s modest means. Instead, she picked up a couple of tech diplomas from community colleges, including photography. First as a secretary, then as a reporter/photographer in Sturgeon Falls, she started to blossom. She started singing and acting in cabaret shows. Time passing found her in Ottawa as secretary/EA to an Assistant Deputy Minister, a real career gal, where she met her husband John. She had always wanted a university degree. After marriage, she entered Carlton University and graduated in her 40’s in psychology and political science with nine A’s. She went on to serve for years with distinction as the EA/corporate office manager to two CEO’s of large corporations, one a multi-billion dollar multinational.
Sue and husband John, nicknamed “the love birds” by friends in their ski club because they were always holding hands, spent years playing in the Caribbean, cross country skiing, skating on the Rideau Canal, ballroom dancing, sharing time on the golf course, holding wild and wondrous costume parties and decorating and gardening at their homes. And all those lush formal corporate parties she helped her CEO’s with! Husband John will always be so proud of her and love her forever. She will be missed by both large families and many friends.
There will be a small family memorial service in the future after the Covid crisis. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, to whom Sue’s husband John owes a deep debt of gratitude for their years of understanding and help.
Thank you also to the staff of the Glen Stor Dun Lodge for their years of patience and dedication.
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Sunday October 10th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Suzanne LaRochelle Sunday October 10th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Alexandria, Province: Ontario