Susan Elizabeth Makortoff was born September 19, 1936 in the Outlook District of Grand Forks to Nick S. and Florence Makortoff. She was the 3rd sibling of 6 children...older sisters Phyllis and Maureen, younger sisters Verna and Helen and the youngest - her brother Paul.
Susan participated in otdel and choirs and one of her fondest memories was from the year of 1957, the youth choir of Grand Forks went to Saskatchewan for Petro Denj. She made many friends on that trip and remained friends with many through out the years.
In the early 1960's she moved to Vancouver, finished her grade 12 and enrolled into a hair dressing school, where she graduated with top honours. She was single, independent and long before women entrepreneurs were the 'norm', she opened up her own hair salon "ARTISTE HAIR STYLING" on Agnes Street in New Westminster. She had a very successful career for about 25 years, until allergies to the various hair products began affecting her health and she sadly closed up shop.
She quickly got a job at St. Pauls hospital in the sterilizing department and worked there for several years.
Susan LOVED hockey and in 1970, the Vancouver Canucks began playing in the NHL. Susan was one of the first 100 charter members of the Vancouver Canucks Fan Club and was a season ticket holder for many years. The first captain of the Canucks named Orland Kurtenback personally gave her his Vancouver Canucks bomber jacket which she cherished.
In 1991 she decided to move back to the interior and bought her home in downtown Osoyoos. She was the stopping point for many relatives and friends - whether it was to stretch your legs, or a bite to eat or even stay overnight - she loved her company.
Susan travelled when she could and loved Arizona in particular. She worked in the orchards and then in the local fruit packing house until her retirement at age 65 in 2001.
She moved to Kelowna in 2008 and lived a happy, fulfilling life enjoying her friends and family until 2017 when she suffered a series of strokes which affected her vision and quality of life.
She moved to Grand Forks to be near her siblings and was eventually able to move to Boundary Lodge where she lived for over one year. Unfortunately, her vision was getting worse and she had to move to Hardy View Lodge in May of this year.
Susan suffered a stroke on the night of July 11, 2019. She passed away from complications on July 21, 2019.
Susan was predeceased by her father Nick in 1969, her mother Florence in 1982 and her sister Maureen on September 26, 2018.
She is survived by her sister Phyllis Gritchen, her sister Verna and husband John Chernoff, her sister Helen Perry, her brother Paul Makortoff and wife Marlene.
She never had children and she loved and cherished her 10 nieces and nephews. She was blessed to have great nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews and loved to be called BABA Susan.
Susan was a life long USCC member. She was one of the original Vancouver UYD choir members along with her brother Paul. She participated in the Osoyoos Mothers Day peace walks and luncheons when she lived there and until she left in 2017, she regularly attended prayer meetings in Kelowna.
Susans' life was full of friendship, loyalty and love and she strived to live a toil and peaceful life. May she rest in heavenly and eternal peace.
A Funeral Service was held July 27, 2019 at the USCC Community Centre follow by Burial in Sion Cemetery Grand Forks B.C.
Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Grand Forks Funeral Home.
Grand Forks Funeral Home