Josephine Susie Wilkie

Born in Alexandria, Egypt

A life of laughter, love, strength, and grace.

Susie was the youngest of four children, growing up in the sun-soaked streets of Alexandria, Egypt, in a household filled with tradition, love, and a strong sense of family. Even as a child, Susie stood out—not just for her joyful energy, but for her natural warmth and ability to make others laugh. She loved to dance and act silly, and she carried that spirit of fun and light-heartedness into every stage of her life.

She met her future husband Tony when they were just seven or eight years old, thanks to their mothers—Olga and Marguerite—who were themselves childhood friends. What began as childhood playmates blossomed into something beautiful. Susie began dating Tony at 17, and the two were married in Alexandria on October 21, 1967.

Together, they embarked on a life of adventure. In 1968, they moved to Australia, where they started a new chapter and welcomed their two sons: Peter in 1969, and Andrew in 1972. The family made another bold move in 1973, immigrating to Canada, where they initially stayed with family before purchasing a home in Boisbriand in 1975. Their daughter Karen was born in 1977, completing their beautiful family.

Susie embraced every new home with grace. She made friends easily and filled each space with love and warmth. She was known in the neighbourhood for her kindness, her hospitality, and her social spirit. Their family dog, Fifi, was part of daily life—another loved one in a home full of affection.

Though she had studied with the Sisters Franciscan Order all the way through grade 12, it was her mother who truly shaped much of her adult life. Watching her mother sew sparked a passion that became a lifelong skill. Susie became a talented and precise seamstress, sewing for her home and even for hotels. In Egypt, she worked as a secretary in a law firm, where her bilingual abilities made her indispensable and appreciated. In Australia, she worked for Morganite, a company that manufactured military switches. No matter the job, Susie found purpose in her work and always gave her best.

Eventually, she chose to work from home to be more present with her children—a decision that reflected her deep devotion to her family. She created a loving and stable home where her children felt supported, encouraged, and deeply loved.

Cooking became more than a necessity—it became a creative outlet. Learning from her husband’s aunt, Susie developed into a truly exceptional cook, always searching for new recipes and techniques. She had a flair for flavour and took great pride in preparing meals for family and friends. Mealtime wasn’t just about food—it was about bringing people together. She had an extraordinary ability to make people feel at home.

Her curiosity and love for language meant she could easily move between Italian, Greek, French, Arabic, and English. She was intellectually sharp, emotionally generous, and fiercely organized. Everything had its place in Susie’s world, especially the home, where she kept things running smoothly and with great care.

She was deeply spiritual, praying each morning and night. She believed in peace—within oneself, and in one’s relationships with others. She was never one to gossip or judge. She spoke her truth with honesty and respect, always aiming to understand rather than to wound.

Susie’s heart was endlessly giving. She helped others quietly, without expectation—whether it was giving extra tips to workers or offering time, care, and advice through MedHelp, a nurse-led community she was proud to be a part of.

Even after her diagnosis and experience with breast cancer, she carried herself with dignity and strength. Her interest in health grew, and she approached life with a deeper compassion and purpose. Despite every challenge, she kept moving forward, with grace and resolve.

She loved Arabic, Italian, and Spanish soap operas, and had a soft spot for the music of Lionel Richie and Dolly Parton. These small pleasures brought her joy—and Susie never took joy for granted.

She was a woman of principle. She valued hard work, honesty, and fairness. She believed in being good to people—not because of what they could do for her, but because kindness was who she was.

More than anything, she loved her children and her husband. They were her greatest achievement and deepest source of pride. She never needed to be the centre of attention; her love lived in the background, in the sacrifices made, in the meals prepared, in the hugs given without hesitation.

Susie was joy. She was kindness. She was resilience. She was home.

She leaves behind a legacy of laughter, strength, and quiet beauty. She lives on in the hearts of her family, friends, neighbours, and every life she touched with her warmth.

May her memory be a blessing.

May her story be a comfort.

And may her light continue to guide those who loved her.