We Remember
STOVEL, Susan (nee LAUER)
May 19, 1941 — July 22, 2013
Born May 19, 1941 in Kelowna, BC, Sue passed away peacefully on July 22, 2013 in the presence of her beloved husband Brian, who treasured all of the 48 years he was given with her. She will be greatly missed but always remembered by their four children, Darren Stovel (Ursula), Stephanie Stovel-Killingsworth (Thom), Mark Stovel (Lynn), Jennifer Stovel-Mellon (Cary), and her seven grandchildren; Ryan, Andrew, Madelyn, Maia, Adam, Dani and Spencer. Also feeling an immense loss are her brother Frank Lauer (Jean), her sisters; Cynthia Pearce and Margaret Ivancic, and her niece Katherine Ivancic. She was a cherished aunt to her many nieces and nephews. Sue grew up on her parents’ orchard in Summerland. She took her elementary teacher training at Victoria College and started her teaching career in Quesnel before moving to Penticton, Fernie, and finally the Okanagan. Many of her students regarded her as the best teacher they ever had, having a life-changing impact on them. Sue loved her family first and nature second. She was drawn to the mountains, the oceans, and all the animals, but especially birds: which she had eating out of her hand. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 11, 2013 at 11:00 am at the Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central Okanagan Hospice Association, 1456 St. Paul St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2E6, the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, 2268 Pandosy St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1T2, or the Pancreatic Cancer Canada Foundation, 30 Concourse Gate, Unit 27, Ottawa, ON, K2E 7V7. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Sunday, August 11, 2013 at 11:00 am
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Share with Others:
Central Okanagan Hospice Association, 1456 St. Paul St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2E6, the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, 2268 Pandosy St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1T2, or the Pancreatic Cancer Canada Foundation, 30 Concourse Gate, Unit 27, Ottawa, ON, K2E 7V7
Service Information
Service Details
The service for STOVEL, Susan (nee LAUER) is scheduled for Sunday, August 11, 2013 at 11:00 am. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone: 250-860-7077
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Brian…I am so sorry to hear this news.I have such fond memories of the times we shared fighting for professional freedom. I hope the treasured family memories that you and your children share will bring you comfort and peace.
What can I say about Sue. She was like a mother to me and Brian a father. I grew up watching them raise an amazing family, number one Mark. The world is going to miss a VERY special person in Sue.
Love you Mark. Anything you need just ask. Hugs.
So sad to hear of Sue’s passing. I often worked for and with Sue at Lakeview School. She was a talented educator with a wonderful warmth and delightful sense of humour.
Trust that your fond memories will keep her in your hearts forever.
Brian, and family … praying for you in this time of loss.. Suzie -Q i will miss you and your wonderful laugh , smile.I have been blessed to have met you.. Christine
When Sue smiled the room brightened. When she laughed it was always with you and we really never seen her frown. The love she gave to our family will never be forgotten. We will sadly miss her but we will never forget what Sue meant to us and our familly.
Brian, I’m not sure if you know how to make Sue’s cranberry sauce but you have till Christmas to practice.
Darcy & Judy
Sue had the capability to finish the symphony after I uttered but just one word. Her compassionate effervescence was magical and her beaming smile a reward for all she met…
Our hearts are broken at hearing of the passing of our friend Sue. The kindest heart. The brightest mind. Rest in the arms of angels Sue. We will never forget you. Brian, with all our hearts we send you our love and support.
Our condolences to you Uncle Brian and your family. We just learned of Auntie Sue’s passing and will remember her fondly.
Uncle Brian, we’re so sorry to hear of your loss. Our condolences to your family. Watching her service today brought many memories of our summers in Kelowna as kids. Auntie Sue always made it a magical time. Whenever I hear ABBA – I do think of her.
A.A. Milne said it best for me:
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”.
Auntie Sue was a bright light in my life.
She could make me laugh with a single look, give me peace with a gentle touch on my shoulder or bring tears to my eyes with her compassionate understanding of the human condition.
The greater bonus in all this was that she was not only someone who I called an Aunt but someone whom I cherished to call a best friend.
My prayers and heart is with you all, as my love is.
Thank you for sharing her and this time with us.
It was a gift to witness the beauty and unconditional love you have for each other firsthand.
I love you all dearly.
“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight”. ~Kahlil Gibran
I am thankful to have had the opportunity to visit with Auntie Sue in the hospital. The day I was there the nurses were putting her in the lift so she could stand up. Although she only managed a few seconds on her feet she was so thankful to the staff for allowing her the choice to try.
In spite of her condition at the time she was cheery, humorous and concerned for others, especially her family.
The things I will remember most are the crinkle of her nose when she smiled and the very expressive face she had. Her style of parenting was one I always tried to keep in mind when raising my own children. I never mastered her ability to just let things go as kids will be kids. But her love of learning and teaching kids to love it too are things I have passed on to my children and now on to my grandchildren.
Years ago I remember her saying how glad she was to have pictures of her children and their activities as babies and growing up because those times went by in such a blur sometimes she found it hard to remember everything that happened. I have taken lots of pictures along the way with my children and grandchildren because she was right. So much happens and it really is hard to remember it all.
To Uncle Brian, Darren, Stephanie, Mark and Jennifer,your children, my Dad, Auntie Margaret and Auntie Cynthia I send much love and extra big hugs.
I am so lucky to have shared fun times on the courts with Sue and off times too. She had such a lovely smile and twinkle in her eyes. A truly one of a kind. I fed the birds to-day with her in my heart.
anne
Brian and family
You have a large hole to fill in your family and I wish you all patience to do so and feel happy to have had her with you all the years you did.
Bryan St George
At the end of the service just before handing out small bags of birdseed, Dani, Maia and Madelyn read the following poem:
Sometime in the winter
When there’s snow upon the trees,
Would you go into your backyard
And feed the birds for me?
HI Brian and family…just watched most of the service…what a wonderful tribute to a great lady….I too love that Abba song…think its my favourite of them all……love the fact that we who have missed the service can share in this with you. Love and peace to you all.