Susan Heikkila February 12, 1950 - February 28, 2025

Born in Peterborough to Harry and Jean Plumley on February 12, 1950. Susan was the 3^rd youngest of seven siblings. She attended Kenner Collegiate and graduated then went on to Peterborough Teachers’ College.

Her first job was in Timmins working with her sister Donna. The next year she took a posting in Rouyn Noranda Quebec teaching at George Loosemore School. There she met her significant other, Terry. They taught for 3 years in Rouyn Noranda.

With the declining Anglophone population in Noranda, they left to work for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs in Cat Lake and later Osnaburgh. After two years she and Terry then moved to Sioux Lookout and taught at a variety of schools for 15 years.

While living in Sioux they had three children, Stephanie, Toby and Tyler. Opportunities arose in Dryden in 1989, and they made their final move. Susan continued to teach in Dryden until 2010 when she retired.

She was well liked by her colleagues and students but was not an outgoing person and much preferred the solitude of her own company. She enjoyed watching the “Wheel of Fortune “and could often beat the contestants to the answer. Susan particularly enjoyed the last few years of teaching when she was able to work in “Reading Recovery” on a one to one basis with students. Reading novels and doing Sudoku occupied many hours in retirement. After retirement Susan suffered from several physical issues. Nerve function in her legs eventually led to her using a walker/wheelchair. Alzheimer’s also took a toll on her in later life.

Although she has no grandchildren, she was grateful for that as she did not want to pass along the genetic material that afflicted her during her time on earth. She often found beauty in nature and would always comment in the spring how green the grass was and how beautiful the maple tree was in the back yard.

In her youth she enjoyed camping at a variety of parks around the province and did a bit of travelling to the east coast and western Canada in her retirement. She did not seek out friendships but relished the ones she had, nor did she seek out worldly goods. Worldly possessions were not her thing. She was a home body who enjoyed the solitude of her home and tranquility.

She leaves behind her husband Terry, daughter Stephanie (Jamie), sons Toby and Tyler. Siblings Donna (Calgary) Betty, Gary, Doug, Gord (Peterborough) and spouses. Predeceased by her parents and her brother Lloyd. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.

Many thanks to the people at Princess Court who took such good care of Susan.

As per her wishes, there will be no service as cremation has taken place.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society Kenora/Rainy River District, 618-9th St. North, Kenora, ON P9N 2S8