Susan Clayton

Susan Mary Clayton

July 2, 1953 - January 27, 2016

With her family at her bedside, Susan passed away after a brief battle with cancer at Strathmore Hospital.

Susan was predeceased by her beloved son Alex in 2011, her mother and father Alex and Dorothy Geuroloff, brother Alex Geuroloff, sister Dorothy, sister in law in law Terry Geuroloff; sister in law Cheryl Chapman and brother in law Duaine Clayton. She is survived by her husband of 41 years Harold, daughter Trinity (Mike) Mol and grandson Max of Calgary, brother Jim (Corrine) Geuroloff of Henden Saskatchewan; sister Marilyn Lisoway of Yorkton Saskatchewan; brother in law Bernie (Bonnie) Clayton of Wasaga Beach Ontario and brother in law Dale (Yvonne) Clayton of Toronto as well as many nieces and nephews.

Susan was born in Wadena Saskatchewan and raised on the family farm near Hendon; it was here she developed her lifelong love of all things that grow and animals; even as a child she grew champion gardens through her involvement with 4H. Following graduation from Wadena Composite High School she enrolled in Psychiatric Nursing e Manitoba Developmental Centre, graduating in 1974. It was during this time Susan met her husband Harold.

Susan and Harold viewed their work as Nurses as an adventure- they accepted positions as the 1st Nurses hired to open a new Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon;  also during this time with the Solicitor General of Canada undertook the Registered Nursing Program at Red Deer College graduating class of 1980. She then accepted a position in BC before they returned to Portage in 1981 to start a family

Susan was a dedicated caregiver recognized for her skills as a teacher and  Nurse administrator; among her many accomplishments; Susan was employed as Director of Nursing Education at Portage District General Hospital; She was part of the team as Director of Nursing to open  Douglas Campbell Lodge; Director of Nursing Golden Door Geriatric Centre, Winnipeg and recruited to open St. Josephs Manor in Elliot Lake Ontario as the Administrator/Director of Care and Executive Management of St. Joseph's General Hospital . In 2013 Susan was recruited to open Sagewood Seniors Centre in Strathmore Alberta.

Susan`s passion in life was always care for her family, especially her grandson Max, knitting, gardening.  She was also passionate about care of seniors in her facilities with resident dignity a priority and creating a home environment. Susan took her bulldog Aurora to work everyday for the residents. Even in her final days as a patient in Tom Baker Cancer Centre she would attempt to help other patients Susan believed in lifelong learning and continued her education graduating from the U of M in Adult Education and Advanced Gerontology; and a Certificate in Adult Education; she also earned her Long Term Care Management Certificate, Canadian Healthcare Association Ottawa.

Susan was a charter member of the Manitoba Developmental Centre Advisory Committee in Portage la Prairie, appointed by the Minister of Family Services and the Portage Day Care Board.

Susan and her husband travelled the world with several trips to Europe and many trips to tropical areas and all Canadian provinces and territories. Her wish was to visit the last 2 US states they had not visited-Texas and New Mexico.

The world is a better place because of Susan.

A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at St. Mary`s Anglican Church in Portage la Prairie at 11:00am.

If friends so wish, memorial donations in Susan’s name may be made to a charity of your choice.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com