Susan Lorraine Christensen
Died: May 23, 2006 | Place: Parkwood Hospital
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Obituary
CHRISTENSEN
We miss you a lot, and we always will,
But, we know that through love
You are with us still.
Peacefully at Parkwood Hospital and surrounded by family on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006. Susan Lorraine Whittington Christensen, of Ilderton, in her 44th year after a courageous battle with cancer. Dearly loved wife and best friend of Art Christensen. Mommy leaves two precious children, Simon and Hannah, at home. Beloved daughter of Betty (Haskell) Whittington and the late Glenn Whittington, of London. Lovingly remembered by parents-in-law Art and Barb Christensen, and grandmother Christine Christensen, all of London. Special sister to Debbie (Frank) Rastin of Belmont, Nancy (Rick) Killby of St. Catharines, and Mary Liz (Joe) Whalls of London. Loving and favourite aunt to 14 nieces and nephews. Susan will also be missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Born in London on June 3rd, 1962, Susan spent her entire life there. She was a graduate of Westminster Secondary School and the University of Western Ontario, where she met her future husband. Susan and Art received a sacrament of marriage on September 30th, 1989. Susan was a country music lover and an avid fan of racing and all things Disney. Susan dedicated her life to her family, to her Church and to their children’s Christian school. She could always be counted on for unconditional support and guidance, and her counsel will be missed by all. She will be fondly remembered by her many friends at the University Students Council where she worked for over twenty years. Friends may call at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Wednesday from 7-9 PM and Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The funeral service will be held at the Church of the Epiphany, 11 Briscoe Street, West, London, on Friday, May 26th,2006 at 1:00 PM, with the Reverend Teresa Corrigan officiating. Susan was born and spent her whole life in this church. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the London Christian Academy Memorial Fund, 85 Charles Street, London, ON N6H 1H1 or the Church of the Epiphany Memorial Fund. On line condolences accepted at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca
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Very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. I had a chance to work with Susan at the USC for a brief time, just before I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. She was so supportive and comforting during this very difficult time and I will always think of Susan this way. She was a very loving and beautiful person. She will be truly missed. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
My thoughts are with you and your kids at this very sad time. I’m so sorry to hear of Susan’s passing.
I pray that you can find peace with the memories and guidance that Susan brought to your family in her short time here.
Thinking of you,
Colleen Armstrong
Dear Barb and Art and family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
I am saddened by the loss of such a lovely, courageous woman and express my heartfelt condolonces to her family and friends. Although I had not seen Sue since our Western days, I will forever remember her as a vivacious and infectiously-optimistic person, who assuredly instilled with pride all her tremendous qualities in her children. Anne-Marie’s and my thoughts & pratyers are with Sue and her family.
My deep condolences to you and your family Art.
To all of Sue’s family:
We were so sad to hear about Sue’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Art,the children, Betty and the entire family.
Sincerely,
Debbie & Mel
To the Christensen & Whittington Families:
Our thoughts and Prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time in your lives. While reading the on-line condolences, it was very clear that Susan was truly a very special and courageous lady! Our deepest sympathies to all.
Kirk & Karen Killby
To the Christensen/Whittington families
My sympathies to you. Susan’s thoughtfulness, energy, guidance, endless devotion are some qualities I remember and undoubtedly will shine through in Simon and Hannah. She never said no and always had a smile, singing or humming a happy tune.
She will watch over us, of that I’m sure.
Maryann Mommersteeg
To the Christensen and Whittington families:
Please accept my heartfelt condolences at this very sad time.
I remember Susan with real fondness, having worked with her at the USC for many years. She was always ready with wry commentary and witty remarks about our experiences there, and kept us laughing when we most needed it. She never failed to plainly express her views, and her strength and leadership were valued by all her friends.
Through my parents’ illnesses and subsequent deaths, she was a steady source of support and compassion. Her kindness to me through those difficult times was greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten. Family was everything to Susan, and she always spoke with deep affection about Art and their beautiful children Simon and Hannah, her Mom and Dad, her sisters, and her much-loved nephews and nieces. If Susan has anything to say about it (and she will!), there is no force in this universe that could keep her from reuniting with her Dad.
I am thankful that I had the opportunity to know Susan, and will miss her very much. My thoughts are with those who knew and loved her best. We have all lost someone truly special.
Mary
Dear Christensen and Whittington Family:
I worked with Susan at the USC and worked closely with her in our union local. I will miss her greatly. I was thinking of Susan last night and a song from the musical Wicked came to mind. The two main female characters are parting and they sing about the effect they have had on each other. This song speaks more eloquently than I ever could…
FOR GOOD
(from the musical Wicked)
I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
A part of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better
Because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
Susan McKone
Poem for Susan
In tears we saw you sinking,
And watched you pass away.
Our hearts were almost broken,
We wanted you to stay.
But when we saw you sleeping,
So peaceful, free from pain,
How could we wish you back with us,
To suffer that again.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.
If Roses grow in Heaven,
Lord please pick a bunch for me,
Place them into Susan’s arms
and tell her they’re from me.
Tell her I love her and miss her,
and when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek
and hold her for awhile.
Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
but there’s an ache within my heart
that will never go away.
Don’t think of her as gone away
Her journey’s just begun
Life holds so many facets
This earth is only one
Just think of her as resting
From the sorrows and the tears
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years
Think how she must be wishing
That we could know, today
Now nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away
And think of her as living
In the hearts of those she touched
For nothing loved is ever lost
And she is loved so very much.
(Author Unknown)
We miss you, Susan.
Love ~
~ Katie, Rick, Amanda and Ben Postma
Terri just called me to let me know – I’m going to contrive to get myself down there for the visitation this evening or for the funeral tomorrow. I’m so sorry for both you and the kids – hang in there, and let us know if you need anything.
Love,
PENNY, KIRK, KATIE and JACKIE
My thoughts and prayers are with Susan’s family. Words alone won’t comfort you but I hope all the caring that Susan shared with those whose lives she touched will come back to comfort you at this very difficult time.
To all of Sue’s family and loved ones.
I was so sadden to hear of Sue’s passing. I have so many fond memories of her since she was a small child at Epiphany.We do not know why God has taken such a loving mother, wife and person, but ours is not to know His reasons but to except in faith that He wanted to take her to be with Him at this time.
My prayers our with all her family and loved ones at this time that God may comfort and surround them with his love.
To Betty Whittington and Family:
Our sincerest sympathy and prayers.
My heartfelt condolences to Art, Simon and Hannah, her family and friends. It has been a while since I have seen Sue & Art, but I fondly remember her cheerful and optimistic outlook on life. I knew Sue from AIESEC Western days and a few times the group went camping – no one was better prepared than Sue! We cannot imagine what pain and suffering Sue & her family went through, but now her suffering is over. I am glad I had the opportunity to know her; I think Sue she would want to be remembered by the fun and laughter she always brought where ever she went.
Mike
My prayers with your family at this time of loss of a dear and kind mother, sister, wife and friend. Prayers of thanksgiving for a life of eternal joy for Susan. Peace to each one of you. Molli
I’d like to send our condolences on behalf of the Board of the Christian Academy to Art and family.
Susan was an inspriation to all of us as she tirelessly worked to make our school a better place. Her work on the many committee’s and events was an example to all. Certainly a school like ours cannot run without volunteers, and whenever there was a need, Susan was there to help. Thank you, Susan, your memory will live on in the hearts of many.
Dear Art & Family
Please accept my deepest sympathy on Susan’s passing. She was such an incredible friend – she was the sister I never had. Take comfort in knowing that she has touched so many people with her generosity and friendship.
Again, my deepest condolences, Vicki
This message is for all of Susan’s family…I was so sorry to hear of Susan’s passing and wish to send my warmest wishes for all of you during this difficult time. I worked with Susan for several years at the university and enjoyed her humour and determination. She will be sadly missed by many and I wish that her children and Art may find a smooth road ahead.
~Melissa Firth
Dear Art, Simon and Hannah,
We were so saddened to hear of Susan’s passing. Your family is in our prayers as you mourn the loss of a wonderful wife and mother. May your memories of Susan sustain you as you grieve and bring you peace. Susan is now in a place that is cancer-free and she has no more pain.
Take comfort in knowing you have a special angel in heaven smiling down on you and watching over Simon and Hannah as they grow into teenagers and then adults.
There will be tough times ahead – turn to each other and find comfort in your family and friends. We will continue to pray for your family.
We offer prayers and pixie dust to your family at this very sad time in your life. Mary Liz I am so glad that you and your sister and families were able to have one more trip to Disney with Susan, and that we had the pleasure of meeting both of you. Just know you are in our thoughts,
Fellow dis’r and lover of Disney,
Kathy and Dave (digskat)
Dear Art,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I was shocked to read the newspaper today. You and your family will be in my prayers and thoughts as you go through the next few days and in days ahead. I can only imagine what a huge hole has been left in your heart and your life. I have that wonderful family picture to always remind me of happier times for you all. I pray that your faith will sustain you and bring you comfort and peace at this great loss. Please keep in touch.
God be with you and keep you in his arms.
Sincerely, Sue
Art, Hannah, Simon, and family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Susan. I really enjoyed looking after her and getting to know her on C7. At times it was frustrating because it seemed I couldn’t do enough for her. She rarely asked for anything and never complained. Susan left me with the impression that she was a very stong woman with unwavering faith and an unconditional love for her family.
Art and Betty- It was a pleasure always seeing your smiling faces. You were a great help and support to her when she needed it most.
Please accept my condolences.
Holly Bosch RN C7 – oncology
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Art, Simon and Hannah
I’m so very sorry to hear of Susan’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Sincere Condolences
Art and family, Betty and family:
I was shocked to hear of Sue’s passing, not even having known that she was ill. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your time of loss and feel free to contact me if there is anything I can do. Art, would enjoy having a coffee sometime to talk about the good old days when we all used to hang out and solve the worlds problems.
I was sad to hear of Sue’s passing in 2006. My mother, then alive, informed me. It has been a number of years since I’ve chatted with Art and family but I did want to pass along my rather belated condolences.
If you’d like to chat please email me as I live in Alberta.
PJO
Miss you always mom. Forever in my heart and your soul has shined through me. I have your smile and everything, I carry you with me everyday and have learned so much about you. I love you??