SYSKO, Susan Edith
Susan Edith Sysko (nee Reid)
June 4, 1956 – December 27, 2023
On the evening of December 27, 2023, Susan Edith Sysko passed away peacefully due to natural causes at the Brampton Civic Hospital. She was surrounded by her beloved husband Michael and her sister Patti.
Susan was born in Kingston Ontario, raised in Montreal Quebec (Roxboro) and in 1980 married Michael Sysko in Montreal. In 1983 we moved to Brampton Ontario where we lived for over 40 years in the house she absolutely adored.
Susan was the love of my life and I had the privilege of marriage for 43 years which I will forever cherish. I will remember Susan as a wonderful wife being kind, considerate and caring to all those she loved. I have many memories of our conversations as we could talk for hours enjoying each other’s company.
Throughout her many medical conditions, Susan was very courageous and had a very positive outlook even though her mobility was limited in recent years.
Susan had an immense and dedicated love for all animals enjoying her dog Kelly and all of our cats ; Shaki, Calle, Christmas, Sheba, Tiffany, Honey, Maxi, Sultan, Cleo, Evie, Rikki, Magic, Merlin, Molly, Cassie, and recently Pixi. Susan’s love of animals started with her pet birds and aquariums she had growing up and continued at our home in Brampton as she tended to our ponds and aquariums caring for our goldfish and bullfrog, Charlie, who Sue often picked up and held and lastly my dog Whiskey and Leonard’s dog Chanel. Susan loved taking care of our pets throughout the years providing special attention to their individual needs. She also enjoyed horseback riding while living in Montreal.
Susan was extremely gifted and talented in cooking, baking, gardening and especially a passion for needle work such as cross stitch and needlepoint. She was constantly stitching away and scouring the internet worldwide for photos and artwork where she would obtain patterns to create intricate and detailed needle work making our house a loving home. Susan completed 46 needlepoints and cross stich works of art displayed in our home not including the numerous ones that were given to family and friends throughout the years, totaling an estimated 75 created by love and devotion to a craft Susan adored. In 1991, for our 11th anniversary, Susan stitched a Sysko coat of arms with the following words “Recognize all the parts that make the whole for you are the maker”.
Susan’s collection included many beautiful artwork canvases lovingly obtained throughout the years which she sorted through often in search for her next project to be later stitched into needlepoint or cross stitch works of art. Susan’s most intricate cross stitch “Courage” was completed in the spring of 2023, from Dr. Laura Hawryluck’s poem which she absolutely loved the first time she read it. The last cross stitch Susan completed was in November 2023, as Joan of Arc, which was fitting as a testament to her strength, courage and determination.
Susan was also an avid Royal Doulton collector with many beautiful figurines obtained throughout the years that had involved many trips to antique markets. She also enjoyed collecting cookbooks, recipes, music, movie DVD’s, books, Beanie Babies, Furbies and collectable plates.
Susan has joined her loving parents Kenneth and Doreen Reid, my parents Anne McIntosh (Sysko), Arthur McIntosh and my father Michael Sysko. Most importantly, Susan will now be with our dear daughter Stacey whom we joyfully awaited but who sadly passed before term.
Susan is survived by her husband Michael Sysko, sister Patti Reid, nieces Kelsey (Nick) and Kimberly (Jake), brother in law Leonard McIntosh and nieces Elizabeth and Sydney. Also survived by Aunt’s Carol (Fred) and Norma (Michael), cousins Bonnie (Brent, son Joshua) and Gordon (Deanna).
Susan will also be sadly missed by many other family members and friends across Canada as well as our dearest friends Gloria, Rob and son Brent.
We would like to thank all of the many Healthcare professionals who were instrumental in Susan’s care throughout the years. A special and heartfelt thank you to Dr. Laura Hawryluck (cousin) for her guidance and compassion.
Cremation has taken place January 5, 2024. A private celebration of life will be held in June 2024 for family and close friends and then a reception will be held at our home where everyone can see all of Susan’s beautiful needlepoints and cross stitch works of art, Royal Doulton figurines and enjoy our gardens which Susan spent countless hours planting and to remember Susan’s true passions bringing her great joy. Details below and a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Toronto Cat Rescue in Susan’s memory would be appreciated, as they are staffed by volunteers playing an important role saving many precious lives connecting cats with loving parents in forever homes.
You are invited to attend a celebration of Susan’s life which will be held June 8, 2024 at 11:00 AM.
A ceremony will be held at the Bramalea Church of Christ at 750 Clark Boulevard Brampton, Ontario L6T 3Y2.
The church is at the intersection of Clark and Finchgate Boulevard in Brampton. The parking lot entrance to the church is off of Finchgate Boulevard.
After the church service a reception will be held at our house and a buffet lunch will be served.
I have received permission for extended parking hours on our street at the curb by the city and additional parking in our neighbors driveway’s will be available.
Also additional parking is available at the church if needed.
If you can please RSVP by e-mail to [email protected] by May 08, 2024 it would be appreciated.
Susan,
We celebrated your life this past weekend. Michael, Patti and the team of volunteers did an amazing job. We prayed, sang songs, listened to some music you loved and talked about the wonderful memories we shared with you. It was a sunny day and your rays from above were shining down on us. You will always be in our hearts and minds. Rest well cousin!
.Gordon,
Thank you so much for your beautiful words which I know Susan truly appreciates allowing her memory and love to forever be a part of us and for all of your continued support as it has meant and helped so much.
Michael
Mike…..I just want you to know that because of you and Sue…..as neighbours….my life was more peaceful than it would have been…….Sue new what it was to be a great nieighbour……..she was there always on the other end of the phone with a kind word if i needed help….Your yard was always pristine ….a joy for me to come home too….and she was so kind to Troy…she was one of the few people he connected with…so for that I thank her very much for her giving soul…she will be greatly missed…and i do hope that Sue and Troy can catch up on a few things…in the most peaceful place of all…Love Gail
Gail,
Thank you for such warm and kind words and Susan really enjoyed when Troy visited and loved talking with him. When I see Troy’s photo in our kitchen I too have often thought they are truly in a more peaceful and place and now can catch up.
Michael
Michael
Sincerest condolences on the passing of your beautiful wife and best friend. She was a very talented lady and dearly loved her many kitties through out the years. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jean Henry
Jean,
Thank you so much for your condolences and prayers. Susan was truly gifted in creating many beautiful needle works and loved our cats, many of whom would be curled up beside her while she was working which made her so happy. Thankfully I see all of her works each day bringing back so many wonderful memories.
Michael
Mike we are so very sorry to hear of Susan’s passing. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
While we lived far away we didn’t know her very well but reading your eulogy we know that she was a special person. We have a special memory of one of your most cherished days. Being your photographer on your wedding day is special and especially to a couple that was married 43 years.
Our deepest condolences
Mike and Ralph Tozzi
Mike and Ralph,
Thank you so much and I really appreciate all of your condolences and support. I was looking at our wedding album last week and marveled at the amazing photos from October/25/1980 and how beautifully the moments were captured which I cannot thank you enough for.
Michael
Susan’s needlework and gardens – her art – are a testament to her creativity, patience and perseverance. She was gentle and generous, and used her many talents to brighten the world in her own unique way. She will be missed.
Dianne,
Thank you and Susan loved spending hours each day in her creations and thankfully our home is filled with beauty indoors and out from all of her beloved passions.
Michael
Hi Mike we are so sorry for your loss. We are going to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We pray you stay strong in this tough time and always have the love of Susan to help you carry-on. From your neighbour’s the Maldonado’s
Ali and family,
Thank you for your prayers and lovely flowers which will be planted in Susan’s memory in the spring.
Michael
Mike we are so very sorry to hear of Susan’s passing, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Our deepest condolences xoxo
Rob and Cheryl,
Thank you so much for your condolences and support in this trying time.
Michael
To Michael. We are so sorry for your loss of your wife and best friend Susan. The support of your family and friends, will help you through this very difficult time. I Gloria, met Susan at C. I. L. over 40 years ago. I was a mail clerk who delivered your department mail to your desk. We talked and connected, spent our lunches together, and even rode the same bus to our homes. We shared the same passion for collecting Royal Doulton figurines, cross stitch, touring antique markets, and “shopped ’till we dropped.” We had dinners, at each others houses, and toasted to good food and good friends. We always enjoyed Michael and your company. We were not only good friends, but became “family”. You and Michael, were the God parents to our son. We have seen your body slowly deteriorate, and watched you in unbearable pain. Now God and Jesus have wrapped their loving arms around you. You are now re-united with all of your love ones. All of your cares and pain are now washed away. May God and Jesus take care of you, until we meet again, my dearest friend.
Gloria, Rob and family,
Thank you so much for your lovely and heartfelt note of the so many wonderful times we shared together throughout the years which we truly appreciated. I cannot thank you enough for all of your help, support and guidance in this difficult time. Your loving words have brought immense comfort knowing Susan is now pain free and at eternal peace and with her loved ones.
Michael
Dear Michael and Patti
Words cannot express our sorrow. Cherish the good experiences and memories with Susan in your lives. Susan’s debilitating health issues over the last few years were very trying and thankfully she’s no longer suffering and is at peace.
Aunt Edith, Uncle Stan, Laura and Chris,
I really appreciate your words and thankfully I have so many absolutely wonderful memories of Susan to remember and see in our house each day.
Michael
Dear Mike,
Our hearts are filled with so much sorrow for your loss of Susan. She was always a special person in our lives.
I remember our walks through her wonderful garden, seeing her passion for cross stitch always inspired me to do more.
She was also a gentle soul who loved her furry kids and she loved you with all of her heart. You were so caring towards her in her difficult times of illness, always there for her. She will be missed from our lives.
With our love, Marlia, Gary and Darlene ❤️
Marlia, Darlene, Gary,
Thank you so much for your lovely words and Susan had so many passions, hobbies and interests that she many time mentioned she can keep herself entertained. In doing so Susan truly made our house a special place where her memories continue to lovingly surround me.
Michael.
Dearest Michael, I am so sorry for your loss. Susan was absolutely extraordinary in so many ways. I will always treasure and remember our wonderful times together. Her talent was simply incredible and revealed her deep love of art, animals and people and her ability to capture joy and luminosity. They also capture the core values that made up her foundation – those of courage, resilience , caring, kindness and most of all love. She will be deeply missed and always remembered. Sending you lots of love.
Laura,
Thanks for your beautiful words and I remember when you brought over the embroidery floss and how Susan’s eyes lit up. She later mentioned there were colors she had never seen and could not wait to start using them in a new cross stitch. It was truly amazing how much happiness Susan’s needlework brought her by creating canvases which were close to her heart.
Michael
Susan,
I miss you so much however my love for you continues to grow with each passing day in the special memories we have shared throughout the years.
Forever my love, your husband Michael.