Susi Gardner
(née Lowus)
April 30, 1928 – March 10, 2021
Peacefully on March 10, 2021 in her 93rd year after a brief illness in Stuart, FL.
Devoted wife of Hillard (Bud) Sterling for the last 10 years, beloved mother and mother-in-law of Ellen Gardner and Peter Willson, Neil and Beverlee (Light) Gardner, cherished “Bubbie Susi” of Brahm and Sasha Gardner.
Born in Vienna, Austria to Emil and Ella Lowus on April 30, 1928. She was part of ‘Kindertransport’ in 1939 at the age of 10, spending many years in Glasgow, Scotland until sponsored by her first cousin, the late Eric Weldon, and emigrating to Canada in 1949.
Susi met her first love, the late Bernard (Bernie) Gardner of Quebec City, several years after living in Montreal. They married in 1954, and built a fulfilling life together in Rosemere, Quebec where they raised their children, Ellen and Neil.
Losing Bernard in 1981 was devastating but Susi pushed on. She worked for many years as an administrative assistant at The Jewish General Hospital in Montreal.
Susi was an incredibly resilient and determined woman who epitomized ‘true survivor’. She was self-educated, extremely intelligent, well-read and cultured. There was not a day that went by without her reading the New York Times and the New Yorker top to bottom. Susi was a lover of classical music.
Her children and grandchildren were truly everything to her. They were her pride and joy and she always put them first. Susi married Bud in 2011 and our small family grew to include Bud, his sons David and Michael, and their families. Susi and Bud filled their years together with love, travel, culture, friendship and family. Thank you, Bud, for all the happiness you gave her, and love and caring you showed.
A special thank you to her friend Michelle Italiano and all the wonderful and caring staff at Treasure Coast Hospice in Stuart, Florida.
In keeping Susi’s memory and life history alive, contributions can be made in her honour to Yad Vashem in Israel (link to follow), or to the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. (jghfoundation.crowdchange.co/14038/page/259130)
A private graveside service will be held. Zoom link to be announced the morning of her burial. Shiva strictly private.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Susi Gardner 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Montreal, Province: Quebec