Susanne Taylor
“Sue”
(nee MacNaughton)
February 19, 1937 – February 18, 2021
Sue passed away peacefully at Bethel Hospice in the early hours of February 18, 2021, one day shy of her 84th birthday. She will be greatly missed by her loving daughters, Shelagh (Carl), Margot (Frank), Carol (Seamus) and Andrea, her beloved grandchildren Brittany (Dan), Kyle (Amy), Dan, Julia, Kiera, Clare, Liam and Owen and her adored great-grandchildren, Everlee, Palmer and Pierson. Sue is survived by her aunt Florence, her sisters, Pat (Fred), Joyce (Julian), and Judy (Peter), her sister-in-law Jean, her nephew Kevan, her niece Charlotte and a wonderful group of friends she made throughout all of her life’s adventures. She is predeceased by her adopted parents, Stuart and Muriel MacNaughton, her brother, Don and her birth mother, Helen Hamilton.
Sue was initially raised in Hamilton, Ontario and moved to Toronto, Ontario at an early age. She graduated from St. Clement’s School in 1955 and the Wellesley School of Nursing in 1958. Although her focus was on raising her daughters, first in Vancouver and then in Toronto, she continued to work and volunteer in caring roles in her church and community throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s. Sue then entered a new stage of life, answering the calling to Diaconal Ministry with its focus on education, pastoral care, justice and community transformation, graduating from the Centre for Christian Studies in 1985. After an initial 2-year appointment as the Education Minister at First-St. Andrew’s United Church in London, Ontario, Sue was appointed as the first chaplain at the multi-denominational Carlington Community Chaplaincy in Ottawa. During her 15 years in the Chaplaincy, Sue worked tirelessly and humbly to build programs and resources that supported and empowered the community. Sue then joined First United Church in Ottawa where she continued to practice her ministry of presence, inclusion, and compassion as the supply for Pastoral Care and Outreach for nine years and then, following her retirement, as the Volunteer Associate Minister until 2017. Sue was recognized throughout her life for her ability to combine hard work with a very healthy dose of fun and laughter. Sue received several awards and recognition for her work in the Ottawa community but was most proud of the Companion of the Centre for Christian Studies she was awarded in
2018 in recognition of a life that embodied their mission of justice, compassion and transformation.
Sue’s final years were spent at Abbeyfield House in Caledon East, Ontario where she continued to volunteer in the community, including at Bethel Hospice. This move allowed her to be closer to her daughters and their families. It was also a shorter drive to her happy place, her beloved cottage on Boshkung Lake.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Bethel Hospice for their excellent care during Sue’s final weeks. Details for an online service will be available shortly. When it is possible, we will gather in person to remember and celebrate Sue’s remarkable life. Donations can be made to Multi Faith Housing Initiative https://www.multifaithhousing.ca/ or Bethel Hospice https://bethellhospice.org/. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com