St. Peter's Anglican Church
240 College St., Cobourg
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Suzanne passed away shortly after her 88th Birthday at Ed’s House Hospice in Cobourg, Ontario following an illness. Suzanne will long be remembered for her warm demeanor, her compassion for others, and the genuine interest that she took in the lives of her many friends and family. Suzanne was born in Ottawa and moved to King City as a child. Her family also spent summers in Clyde Forks in the Ottawa Valley. There were many treasured family stories of their upbringing in King City and Clyde Forks. Suzanne graduated from Carleton University Class of ’58 with a degree in Journalism. After a year working in the ad department at Simpsons she went to Paris for a year at the Sorbonne. She then spent some time teaching elementary school, and eventually pursued a career in broadcasting. Her primary career was with TVOntario, her last position was in community outreach connecting TVO with communities in Northern Ontario. She met and married her husband, the late Michael Ellis, in Toronto. They moved to Cobourg in 1988.
Suzanne was an avid traveller and artist, often combining her passions to take art workshops around the world. She particularly enjoyed her trips to Paris, and in her retirement took several trips to India to draw and paint. She was also an avid reader and participated in a book club made up of long time family and friends. She treasured her family and the many connections she had made over the course of her life.
In her retirement Suzanne was an enthusiastic and tireless volunteer, lending her many talents to organizations that serve those who are socially disadvantaged. These included the Northumberland Lakeshore Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, Neighborhood Link, the St. Peter’s Crisis Response Fund and Northumberland Services for Women. She also supported environmental causes such as the Beyond the Blue Box program and the Cobourg Area Environmental Association. In 2003 she received the Cobourg Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award. Her career in broadcasting and gift of a clear and gentle voice was also put to use in Cobourg as she was heard on the local CFMX radio station as well as moderating at local charity events.
Suzanne was predeceased by her husband Michael Ellis and her brother The Rev. Timothy Grew (Elizabeth) and is survived by her step-daughter Elizabeth Ellis, step-sons Timothy (Cyndy) and Anthony and her step-grand children Spencer, Fraser, Hanna, Tamara, Zachery, Durham, Lauren, Riley. She is also survived by her niece Claire Williams and nephew Jason Grew (Karen) as well as her grand-nephews, Quinn, Kevin and Noah. A celebration of life will be held on June 8th at 11am at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Cobourg, her faith community. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Ed’s House Hospice, or the Cobourg Beyond the Blue Box Waste Reduction and Reuse Centre.
My condolences to family and friends. We were privileged to meet and interact with Susan at TVO. Enjoyed hosting the provincial council in Kapuskasing "Rap a Kap" which was coordinated by Suzanne. Always ready to joyfully help all who were in her circles. She will be missed.
Sue was our mother's, Peggy Clarke, cousin. I remember many visits with Uncle Jack and Aunt Ethel, Sue and Tim at their wonderful home in King City. My sister, Beth, traveled with Sue and visited Stratford with her for plays. Sue will be missed.
My sincere condolences to all the family. Suzanne was a lovely person and I remember well the times she and her husband hosted our Retiree parties at her home. God Bless you Suzanne - Hilary
My Deepest Sympathies to the Family on the Passing of Suzanne. I had the privilege of working with Suzanne for many years at TVOntario. She was a wonderful Mentor and Friend. I remember to this day, the many things she taught me. She was a lovely, kind, intelligent person and the ultimate professional. The lives she touched will never forget her--I know I won't.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Suzanne Grew-Ellis. Suzanne was everything that has been said about her… she will be greatly missed.
Just learned of Sue's passing. She was my very first friend in Canada whom I met at Toronto Teachers College in 1964. Over the years Sue was a wonderful friend to me. I am so glad that I visited her in April and we spent time reminiscing about our lives and families. Sue was warm, thoughtful, caring with a wonderful sense of humour. I shall miss her.
My heartfelt and sincere condolences to the family of Suzanne Grew Ellis. May What can I say about Suzanne? She was at the top of my list of good, kind, helpful, decent, caring, cheerful, and loving people. I am very thankful to have called her friend. I am certain that heaven has received her with open hands. My family and I give thanks for having known that very special lady. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Suzanne was a treasured member of the TVO PrimeTimers Group and we mourn her loss. We extend our condolences to her family and friends.
My condolences to all Suzannes family. Suzanne was one of my favourite people … she was a delight to know and to be with …
I am so sorry to learn so late of Suzanne‘s passing. She was a good friend in Toronto and it was a delight to re-meet her here in Cobourg. We shared many good times and cups of tea. She was an exceptionally talented, warm and compassionate person.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
It was my enormous joy and privilege to be Suzanne's friend and sometimes travel companion. She was kind, generous, compassionate, brilliant, funny, and endless other good things. Her laugh will be with me as long as I live.
Suzanne was a woman who impacted my professional and spiritual life. She made many contributions to Cornerstone (Northumberland Services for Women) and the women we serve including her leadership and compassion in overseeing the St Peter’s Crisis Fund. She understood the needs of women and would always go out of her way to help. I will always cherish hearing Suzanne’s beautiful voice and words at St Peter’s Sunday services.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Sue. I am sending my most heartfelt condolences to all who knew her. Sue created a book to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Help Center. She met with folks where they were and interviewed them for their story. 25 people who had used The Help Center were each a chapter in her book. While working with her I learned many new skills including making a soup from a sweet potato and ginger! I will never forget the impact she had in Northumberland County. Rest easy my one-of-a-kind dear friend.
Having first met Suzanne in the late 1990's while on the board of Hospice, I was privileged to experience her gentle, compassionate and many wonderful skills while working towards providing this service to our community. Her welcoming, caring, and giving personality was second to none. A true “gentle woman”! My condolences to her family and friends.
A donation was made to St. Peter’s church in memory of Suzanne.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
A Memorial Donation in a dear friend's memory has been made to the following charity: Ed's House
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
St. Peter's Anglican Church
Dear Ellis/Grew family. We know there are never any truly comforting words to say when one is grieving. We have so many fond memories of Suzanne. She was an intelligent, interesting, talented, woman, who had a lovely voice, and a strong spirit. We can only say that Suzanne has a cherished place in our hearts where she will always be remembered for the love she shared and the happiness she brought, not only to her family and friends but to her community as well. We wish there was more that we could express. Just know that we are thinking of you and all the family during this sad time. With deepest sympathy Phillippa and Juliet Wilmer
Suzanne was a treasured friend and mentor. She was a great listener and always had wise responses to the issues at hand. I will miss her
I had the gift of working with Suzanne in one of her final years. Despite her ailments, she was invariably kind, compassionate and a fascinating story teller with a mesmorizing voice. It was a privilege to know her.
We were so saddened to hear of the passing of Suzanne. I met Suzanne in the late 1990 when we both served on the board of Northumberland Lakeshore Hospice. Such an soft spoken advocate with a velvet voice, who, over the years inspired so many of us. Our community will be ever indebted to Sue for her numerous hours of service and involment in so many local organizations. Sue will be missed - may she rest in peace
Murray and i are very saddened to hear of the death of our dear friend Suzanne. we have known each other since our university days at Carleton in the 1960s. Suzanne and some other friends travelled many times to Mexico for wonderful times. Her charm and loving personality will be missed, and we regret that the lock down period of Covid created a break in our visits. The combination of some colours such as turqouise, blue and green will always remind us for dear Sue. with much love. Murry and Alia.
Rest in Peace Suzanne ? I sure enjoyed working with you at James Club..Beautiful Lady inside and out. You will be missed by everyone you knew. ❤️ God Bless Sending my deepest condolances to the Family. ?
Suzanne was a beautiful woman inside and out! How privileged we are to have known her and how sad we are to think that we will not again hear that beautiful , velvet voice of hers. Our sincere sympathy to her family and friends. Rest in peace dear Suzanne.
What a lovely woman! I so enjoyed spending time with her at Bible Studies and used to compliment her on her mellifluous voice! A life well lived. May God bless her and comfort her family and friends.
I met Suzanne during my years of volunteering with Hospice. She was such an inspiration to me in so many ways. Elegant, committed, sincere, someone who was always there at your side 100%. She had the voice of an angel. She will be missed by so many, in so many ways. Rest in Peace, Suzanne.
I did not have the pleasure of meeting this fine lady, we had in common the little hamlet of Clyde Forks. I was born there in 1940 . I always enjoyed going back to my roots and relatives in this remote , beautiful place.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
Suzanne was indeed one of the kindest and gentlest people we had the privilege of knowing. At church, Suzanne gave the most uplifting "Prayers For The People" I ever heard. We had many interesting conversations on our trips to and from her hearing specialist and also a good few laughs mixed in. Carmel and I often visited Suzanne for tea and a good natter. Rest in Peace dear friend.
I'm so saddened to learn of Suzanne's passing - she was the epitome of a lady and a delight to know. I met Suzanne when she was one of "my voices" at CFMX, and we kept in touch for a quarter century or so after that. My life is enriched for having known her.
What a beautiful tribute to a lovely lady! Sue really had a sweet and gentle voice and loving way about her! The words used were perfect in describing her! My thoughts are with all of her and Mike's family and friends.
Saddened to hear of Suzanne's passing, I send my condolences to her family and friends. Suzanne leaves a most amazing legacy in this community. Her generous spirit and genuine interest in people, and in helping and mentoring others will be remembered by those who met her.
To the Family of Suzanne; What a lovely woman Suzanne was. Always a kind word and she would even mail handwritten notes of 'thanks' when I sent her a thank you! She certainly made her mark on the community and will be missed. Sincerely, Trish Baird
To the family of Suzanne we extend our deepest sympathy. It was a gift to have known Suzanne and she will be remembered for all that she gave to us. Sincerely Tony and Carol