Richardson, Susan Jane

RICHARDSON, Susan Jane – August 26,1942 – November 28, 2024
The irreplaceable Susu, believer in possibilities and big ideas, died peacefully in Collingwood with family by her side after a valiant battle with dementia. Born in Whitby, Susan grew up with her sisters Ann, Mary Lou and Kathy. She studied Biochemistry at Trinity College, U of T.
A multi-decade career at the City of Toronto culminated with many years as Director, Parks Planning and Design. She proudly championed progressive landscape architecture projects and was instrumental in bringing some of Toronto’s greatest parks to life, including the Village of Yorkville and the Yo-Yo Ma Music Garden.
A biochemist by training, Susan loved research. She was passionate about gardens and wildlife and fiercely defended the importance of small creatures in the decades spent fighting industrial wind farm developments in Prince Edward County and Clearview Township. She tirelessly drove the hills of Creemore, in the dark with her bat recorder in hand, documenting the presence of endangered Little Brown Bats, which contributed significantly to our beautiful Niagara Escarpment being saved from further wind farm development.
Susan was a pioneer for professional women and balanced the demands of a great career with being an ever-present single mom, always with grace and elegance.
Susan embodied the definition of family-first and had endless time, energy and encouragement for her kids Benjamin (Hannah Farrar), and Sarah (Alexander Younger). Her kids and grandkids were her greatest treasure (Robin, Joshua, Fiona, Alexandra, Harrison, Theo and Eva). Beauty was her love language and music was her medium. Her happiest decade was spent in the purple hills of Creemore where she travelled the country roads with a trunk filled with garden tools, ready to dig in and get to work on creating another beautiful garden.
Susan’s vibrant spirit, endless positivity and overflowing love and warmth will forever twinkle and remind us of her truly unique and magical soul.
A celebration of life was held on Wednesday, December 4, at 1pm at Trinity College Chapel, Toronto.
Special thanks to Pretty River, Sunset Manor, Right at Home, and the incomparable Andrea MacDonald for the next-level care and adventures in Susu’s last months.
The family requests no flowers please. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.