Susan Margaret Thomson
April 26, 1951 - May 26, 2014
It is with heavy hearts the family of Sue Thomson announces her passing on May 26, 2014 while in the comfort of her home, at the young age of 63. Mom was born in Sydney, B.C. April 26, 1951 to parents Abram Peter and Mary Ethel Kliewer. As a child, her family moved often as her father was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. She experienced Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, several years in France and then Ontario to name a few. Spending her teenage years in Rutland, B.C, she played a pivotal role as a founding force for the highly successful Rutland Teen Town. Mom was married to Doug Thomson in 1972. As dad’s banking career advanced, they lived in Dawson Creek, New Denver, Williams Lake, Prince George and finally called Grand Forks home in 1983. Look out Grand Forks! Here she comes. Mom worked full-time at the Boundary Community News, the Gazette, ran the Dickie Dee ice cream business (who didn’t love those bikes!), was elected to council as Alderwoman, operated her own Boundary publication, was the Heritage president of B.C., notable historian of the Boundary Area of B.C. and the Doukobour people who settled here, all the while contributing countless hours to the Boundary Museum, as well as other worthy causes. Weekends were spent with picnics and hitting the back roads with good friend Rose Gobeil. If it was on the map, it wasn’t worth exploring! Antique treasure hunting or a chance at a photo op or story burned in their veins. Growing up, our home was always open to friends. She was “Mom” and they were her “kidlings”. Our home was a safe house to many. In 1993, Mom and Dad began farming with good friend Walter Austin on the Burrell Creek Ranch. They all moved back into town when fire destroyed the ranch house in 2003. The next several years would see Mom’s creative juices flowing again. She traveled and found herself back to her roots in Kelowna where she stayed till moving back to Grand Forks to be with family in 2012. She had developed an active online life and as Mom’s health started slowing her down, that online life became even more important to her.
My Mom was an amazing soul who lived life on her own terms with her own unique style. She was passionate about all she did. She was an award winning photographer and published author. She loved reading, gardening and the color yellow! An expert in local weeds and wild flowers, she particularly loved her birds! She was a webmaster, designing both her own web sites and others, and was a superb crafts person. She had an admirable sense of morals and thrived on thought provoking issues. Her spirit and conviction are an inspiration. She was indeed a force to be reckoned with!
I know while on her new path, she will be giving others a piece of her mind, correcting their English, making friends and photographing the birds with a steady hand again! Love you Da’momma Mom is lovingly remembered by her son Peter of Langley; daughter Melissa of Grand Forks; brother Alan (Val) Kliewer of Coquitlam. Grandsons Liam, Noah and Phoenix; niece Tara (Jason) Wildman of Coquitlam (children Jake & Zoey), nephew Adam (Chantel) Kliewer of Calgary and her long distance sweetie Ray. Mom now joins her parents, sister Kathy, son Christopher, husband Doug, good friend Walter and her furry friend Buddy. Celebration of life to take place 11:00 July 5, 2014 at the Anglican Church. Cremation has taken place. Graham Funeral Home of Oliver, B.C. has been entrusted with care of arrangements. Condolences and stories can be expressed at www.grahamfh.com.