Obituary of Susan Marion Bothwell
Susan Marion Bothwell (Polk) passed away peacefully on May 14th, 2021, surrounded by family. Sue will be deeply missed by her husband of 50 years, Peter David Bothwell, and her daughter Kristen Jessie (Peter) Ritchie; her grandchildren: David James, Robert Charles Edwin, and Rebecca Jean; her sister Sharron (Edward) Covell, and her brother Richard (Ann) Polk.
She will also be dearly missed by her nieces and nephews; Jeff (Danielle) Covell; Tannia (Brad) Cooke and their children Lauren and Cameron; Ryan (Cindy) Polk and their children Nolan and Emme; Megan (Aarron) and her children Shaye and Payce; Matt (Danika) Polk and Sue’s cousins Daryl (Edna) MacKenzie, Helen (Steve) Kinsella. She was predeceased by both her parents Jessie Keays and York Polk
Right from a young age, Sue was a bright light to all that met her; she always placed high importance on her relationships with friends and family. She had a zest for life and always loved meeting people, Peter would often say that Sue could make friends anywhere, even in the grocery store lines. Sue always had a huge love for animals, Sharron reminisces about all times when Sue would bring home stray animals. Sue was an active and valued volunteer at LAWS, eventually taking on a Board member role. Sue will be deeply missed by her sweet Lucy, who stayed by her side in her bed, and her Baxter-Boo. Sue met and married the love of her life after high school. Peter Bothwell. Peter and Sue would welcome a daughter Kristen to complete their family. The family moved to Kanata and would spend summers up at Otty Lake. Pete and Sue were known for their amazing parties up at the cottage. Sue could always be found dancing; maybe it was her years at Dorothy Hitchins’ Dance Studio, where she met her lifelong friend Fran Hitchins. Our neighbors at the cottage were the Kennedys and Sue and Sandy hit it off right away. The girls would sit by the water sipping wine, watching the kids play.
Sue was an employee of Bell (BNR, Nortel) for over 20 years. While at Bell, Sue met her, 2 work besties “The Cathies”. Every time the three of them got together, there would be no end to the laughs.
Family has always been important to Sue; she always looked forward to the seasonal gatherings. Many Thanksgivings were celebrated at the old cottage and then moved to the Log House, where the yearly tradition of the family portrait on the stairs, was to begin. Sue loved her special times with her grandchildren, and would often end up with them curled up in her bed watching TV into the night.
Sue won a battle against Stage 4 lung cancer, due in part to a trial drug. She became an advocate for continued funding by the government to keep researching trial drugs. Sue found her passion in Volunteering; could be found assisting with The Stewart Park Festival, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the relay for life just to name a few.. She mentored others with lung cancer, and touched so many people with her can do attitude and her strength to fight this disease. Sue always liked to be part of the story; she was never one to sit on the sidelines. Sue loved to travel, and after an amazing trip to visit with their Aunt Mary in Florida (1st airplane ride), with her sister Sharron, Sue was on her way; trips followed: New York, a Cruise and wintering in Florida all with the love of her life Peter. Sue and Pete enjoyed golfing, boating and skiing. The family wishes to send a huge thank you to Dr. Sobala and the amazing nurses from the Smith Falls Hospital. Your kindness and support not only helped Sue, but our entire family. Please know that even through COVID, we saw and felt your smiles through the masks, felt your virtual hugs, when we would breakdown in utter despair, and ugly cry. We heard you talking gently to our mom/wife/sister. You helped guide Sue and our family through this experience in a peaceful and respectful way. You all made us feel like Sue was the most important person in the world and you allowed us to be part of this final journey and for that we will forever be grateful. Sending love and gratitude to the wonderful staff at Bayshore Home Health Care, special hugs to Natalie and Esther, for all your, support, which allowed Sue to stay home until the end. We will never be able to tell you how much it meant to us as a family. In Remembrance of Susan’s life, memorial contributions can be made at the Lanark Animal Welfare Society (L.A.W.S.), 253 Glenview Road, Smiths Falls, Ontario K7A 4S4. Arrangements are in the care of Blair & Son Funeral Directors, Perth.
