SHOTT Suzanne

July 11, 1941 — December 11, 2022

It is with heartbreaking and overwhelming sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Suzanne Shott, who passed away peacefully after a brief stay at Kelowna General Hospital.

Suzanne was predeceased by her loving husband, Gerry, in 2019. She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her beloved daughters, Janice (Steve) MacCharles, Deborah Roseleine, and Kimberly Rougeau; cherished grandchildren, Jacqueline, Renee, Chantal, Joshua, Nicole, Brent, and Peter; great-grandchildren, Skye, Nicholas, Julia, Jake, Aidan, Nathaniel, Adrianna and Aleena; and great-great-granddaughter, Wynter.

Suzanne was born in Winnipeg on July 11, 1941 to William James Dick and Madeleine Marguerite Dick (née Gravel). Suzanne grew up in St. Boniface with her four siblings: Margaret Dick (deceased), Louise Thibeault, Robert (Bob) Dick (deceased), and Brian Dick (Maggie). They spent their summers at the family cabin at Gull Lake.

Suzanne was married to the love of her life, Gerry, for 60 years, prior to his sad passing, which left a void in her life that she was never able to adjust to.

It was 1956 when Suzanne and Gerry met. As was popular in that era, Gerry and his friend were cruising the scene in his vintage black Cadillac, and he playfully whistled at Suzanne as she and her girlfriend walked down the street.  From that fateful moment on, the rest was history.  “Their song” was Young Love by Sonny James.  They married in 1958 when they were only 19 and 17 years old, starting their life together in a tiny apartment in St. Vital.

They loved spending summers with their three daughters at the lake; initially as a young family staying in the bunkhouse at Suzanne’s parents’ cottage at Gull Lake, Manitoba, where they enjoyed getting together with Madeleine, Bill, and Suzanne’s siblings and families. Gerry and Suzanne later bought a lakefront cabin of their own at Lake Winnipeg, where they spent many wonderful summers with their children and grandchildren, gathering at family barbecues and evening bonfires on the shore.

Suzanne always enjoyed working in the medical field, starting off as a receptionist on the graveyard shift in a hospital emergency ward. Then, she worked as an office manager at Transcona and Regent Medical Centres with Dr. Peter Tomy and Dr. Dennis Caners for many years. Suzanne studied hard to achieve her goal of becoming an LPN and proudly graduated from nursing school, continuing to work at the medical centre.

Gerry and Suzanne moved to BC in 1990, initially residing in White Rock, then moving to Peachland in 1993 and finally to Kelowna in 1996, where Suzanne decided to start a new chapter in her career.  At a time when online dating was not yet popular, Suzanne started a business called New Acquaintances, offering people the opportunity to meet and form lasting relationships. She was very happy to have been instrumental in bringing people together.

Suzanne and Gerry loved travelling and vacationed in Mexico every winter, in addition to exploring different parts of the world including Europe, Hawaii, and the Caribbean.  For their 50th wedding anniversary, they toured Italy on a family trip filled with very special memories.

They also enjoyed going on long, adventurous road trips throughout Canada and the United States in their RV, playing Willie Nelson’s On The Road Again at the start of every journey.

Suzanne loved cooking and baking for her family and would plan extensive menus for special occasions.  Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners were never complete without the grand finale of apple, pumpkin and pecan pies and a huge cheesecake; all sitting in front of her as she vigorously shook a can of whipped cream, asking everyone which one they wanted. Requesting slivers of each was the norm.

Suzanne loved watching “her shows” at night which included true crime and forensics, movies based on a true story, and 90 Day Fiancé.  She always enjoyed catching up with the latest family news and love lives, never failing to offer her opinion on any subject!

Our thanks go out to the hardworking doctors, nurses, and staff at KGH. Dr. Jade Dittaro was so kind and caring in our mother’s final hours.

Suzanne was truly one of a kind, and she will be missed. We love you dearly, and will hold you in our hearts and memories until we see you again.

A private family gathering has taken place to say a final goodbye to Suzanne and honour her life and memory.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.