Susan Shores

Susan Francis Shores passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Susan was born on May 5, 1952, in Lethbridge, Alberta, to Herb and Shirley Ellerman. Susan was a curious child and did well in school. She always had lots of friends and would tie up the phone for hours; and this was before call waiting. Even as a child and teen, Susan was nurturing and caring to her younger siblings, which included plenty of playful teasing, much to Jerry’s dismay.

Susan moved to Banff after graduating high school, where she worked at the Rimrock hotel. She moved to Calgary and met John in November of 1971 at the Summit hotel in downtown Calgary; she wasn’t an immediate fan. But he eventually won her over and they married in September of 1975, much to their future children’s appreciation. The couple moved to Edmonton in 1976 and had their first child, John/Jack, the following year. They moved to Camrose in 1978 and had their second and third children, Tamara in 1979 and Richard in 1981. Shortly after, they moved back to Calgary and into their Ogden home. They moved a few times over the years, but eventually settled in Glenbrook, where they shared a duplex with John’s parents, Dave and Jean Shores. In 2007, the couple purchased an acreage outside of Vulcan and enjoyed many years of calm, broken up by numerous parties and gatherings of friends and family. 2014 brought them back to Calgary. They lived in their Deer Run house until only a few months ago, when they moved into the 4-plex in Southwood, which was eventually co-habited with their three children.

Susan was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2002. She won that bout through sheer determination and with the help of chemotherapy. She was tested for ten years after her first battle, and the results always came back negative. But in 2017, Susan began feeling pain in her lower back. The breast cancer she had so valiantly defeated had hibernated and was now determined to have a second bout. The attending physician suggested a three year average survival rate for Susan’s condition. But Susan was always determined and always remained positive. She battled this rejuvenated enemy for six more years.

Susan loved to camp, play cards, solve puzzles, and watch her children and grandchildren play. Susan was a great listener, laughed often, and had many close friends. Her smile would brighten any room and her hugs would warm any heart. She lives on in her family and friends.
 

She is survived by her husband John; siblings, Jerry, and Joanne; children, Jack, Tamara, and Richard; and grandchildren, Evan, Brody, and Madilynn. Susan is predeceased by her grandparents, Jack and Beatrice Shield, and Charles and Frances Ellerman; and her parents Shirley and Herb.