Edith Suzanne Stoop

Edith Suzanne (Hanson) Stoop

Suzanne Stoop’s beloved family was by her side for the final leg of her cancer journey when she died on December 1, 2020 at the age of 64.

Grieving her loss are her best friend and life partner, husband of 38 years Neil Stoop, her eldest son Matthew and daughter-in-law Julia, her cherished grandchildren Olivia and Ryder, her much loved sister/friend Ellen Esseltine, her dearest friend and confidante: Trudy Groot, and numerous dear and caring friends who stayed by her side throughout her journey.  Also survived by sisters-and-brothers-in-law: Cathy Sneek (Tony 2005); Johanne Martin (Rob) ; Elly Stoop (Ian Young); Maggi Stoop; Mary DeNijs (Henk); Emma Stoop (Rick VanWetten); Frank Stoop (Jennifer); John Stoop (Lucy Ann); Peter Stoop.  Aunt Suzanne will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews.  Suzanne was pre-deceased by her youngest son Michael (2007) and her parents Archie and Nora (Pick) Hanson.

Born on August 26, 1956 in Tillsonburg, Suzanne attended Salford Public School, Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute and Carleton University (Ottawa) graduating in 1979 with an Honours Bachelor of Journalism.  Her career led her to stints as editor of The Norwich Gazette, The Burford Advance and The Tillsonburg News before she retired to the farm and her most important full-time job: parenting her two growing sons.   A variety of part-time jobs augmented her later years, including time as a parent facilitator for a parent-child drop-in program, work at a local wine store, and one of her most loved jobs: facilitator for the Parent-Child Mother Goose program.  Suzanne’s love of writing continued to be fulfilled in her volunteer work as newsletter editor and event planning and promotion for Ingamo Homes (where she also served as a board member for six years) and with the local Ugali Growing Project (CFGB) for nearly 30 years.                                           

Suzanne treasured her family (including all of the special auntie/cousin/sister-in-law times) and relished every moment she spent with her grandchildren.  She loved cooking meals to share with friends and family, reading, music, travel, and going on outings with friends and family.

Suzanne and her family are deeply appreciative of the dedicated and compassionate care provided by family physician Dr. Lori Bruce, who went above and beyond in her care of Suzanne; the supportive care of the Care Partners nurses during their home visits and the exceptionally caring staff of the Woodstock chemo clinic.  Huge thank you’s to all of the friends and family who tirelessly supported Suzanne on her journey, feeding body and soul. 

Good things come in small packages and that is an apt description of this small, but mighty woman.   Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”   That can certainly be said of Suzanne and her zest for life and community involvement.  The world will be a little darker with her spark extinguished.

Cremation has taken place.  A celebration of Suzanne’s life will take place at a later date.  Donations in Suzanne’s memory can be made to the Michael Stoop Memorial Fund at Ingamo Homes (www.ingamohomes.com); Bereaved Families of Ontario Southwest (London) (bereavedfamilies.net); or Ovarian Cancer Canada (ovariancanada.org).  Private family interment at Harris Street Cemetery, next to her son Michael.

Wareing Cremation Services, 346 Simcoe Street, Tillsonburg entrusted. Condolences may be shared here at www.wareingcremation.ca