Doris Suttie

Doris Suttie as she appeared in her obituary

Doris Rose Suttie (formerly Doris Rose Bryer, née Doris Rose Snook) (5 July 1912 – 8 February 2012) was a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay and niece of George Snook. She died at the age of 99, in her 100th year.

Early life

Doris Rose Snook was born 5 July 1912 in Port Arthur to Edward Langley Snook (1881 Salisbury, England – 1952 Port Arthur) and Eliza Humphrey. Her father had followed his older brother George Snook from England and made his home in Port Arthur.

Her siblings were:

• Irene Craig (1920–2004), who married James Craig (1913–1997)
• Leonard Snook (1919–1974)

First marriage and children

She married George Joseph Bryer, and they had three children:

• Dr. Dan Bryer – married Judy; living in North Bay, Ontario as of 2012
  • Shannon (married Mike Brunette)
  • Campbell (married Jennifer)
• Susan Neave – married Dennis Neave; living in Echo Bay, near Sault Ste. Marie, as of 2012
  • Darren Neave
  • Owen Neave
  • Clay Neave
• Joan Beverley Johnstone (27 May 1933 – 15 December 2004) – lifelong resident of Thunder Bay; married Bruce Johnstone (1931–2002) in 1951; sister-in-law of Don Johnstone. Joan was a talented weaver and knitter who loved animals and country living. She died at St. Joseph's Hospice in Thunder Bay after a lengthy illness. [obituary]
  • Patricia (Jamie) Lawson – of Abbotsford, B.C.
    • Sarah Lawson, Jonathon Lawson, Michael Lawson
    • Elora Lawson (great-great-grandchild of Doris)
  • Wendy (Douglas) Ridley – of Winnipeg, MB
    • Melanie (Cam) Hall
      • Ethan Hall, Emily Hall (great-great-grandchildren of Doris)
  • Carol (Jim) Walker – of Thunder Bay
    • Alex Walker, Autumn Walker, Aaron Walker

George Joseph Bryer died in 1962.

Second marriage

Doris later remarried to Ronald Suttie, who also predeceased her.

Later life

Doris was a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay. She lived for a time at Jasper Park Lodge, Thunder Bay, with the support of Meeta Evans and Anne & Les Willis. In 2006, she moved to Corbeil (near North Bay) to be closer to her son Dan, residing at Nipissing Manor Care Giving Center for her final years.

Character

Her obituary described her as someone who "lived her life with a sense of adventure and on her own terms." She was remembered as intelligent, fun-loving, and articulate — a creative spirit who saw the world through the eyes of an artist, appreciative of nature and of all experiences great and small. She had a "boundless joie-de-vivre" and an "indomitable personality," and enjoyed the company of many pets throughout her life.

Death

Doris died peacefully at Nipissing Manor, Corbeil, on 8 February 2012, in her 100th year. Interment of ashes took place at Riverside Cemetery, Thunder Bay.

In lieu of flowers, donations were directed to One Kids Place (North Bay) and the North Bay Humane Society. Arrangements were entrusted to Martyn Funeral Home.

Obituary

Doris Rose (Bryer) Peacefully at Nipissing Manor, Corbeil on Wednesday February 8, 2012, while in her 100th year.

Doris Rose (nee Snook) was the beloved wife of the late George Joseph Bryer and the late Ronald Suttie. A proud and loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother Doris will be sadly missed by her son Dr. Dan Bryer and his wife Judy, of North Bay, and their children Shannon (Mike Brunette) and Campbell (Jennifer); her daughter Susan Neave of Echo Bay, and her children Darren, Owen and Clay; and by the children of her daughter Joan Johnstone, late of Thunder Bay- Patricia, Wendy and Carol. Doris was predeceased by her sister Irene Craig and brother Leonard Snook.

A life long resident of Thunder Bay, Doris moved to Nipissing Manor Care Giving Center, Corbeil in 2006.

Doris lived her life with a sense of adventure and on her own terms. Intelligent, fun loving, and articulate, she was ahead of her time in many ways. Doris was a creative spirit by nature. She saw the world through the eyes of an artist, appreciative of nature and of all experiences great and small. Knowing that hers was a life well lived, her family can remember the good times, her boundless joie-de-vivre, and her indomitable personality.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held in Thunder Bay at a later date. Interment of ashes will be in Riverside Cemetery, Thunder Bay. Doris's family is especially grateful for the care and kindness given by Meeta Evans, and Anne & Les Willis of Thunder Bay and for the friendships and support while a resident of Jasper Park Lodge, Thunder Bay. A special thank you to Dr. Brian Shaw and the entire staff of Nipissing Manor for allowing Doris to spend her final years in comfort and with dignity.

In addition to the great pride and joy that Doris felt for the young children in her family, she also enjoyed the company of many pets throughout her life. They brought her pleasure and companionship, even well into her later years. As such, donations to One Kids Place, North Bay or the North Bay Humane Society will be gratefully acknowledged as expressions of sympathy. Arrangements entrusted to Martyn Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.martynfh.com

Family connections

Through her daughter Joan's marriage to Bruce Johnstone, Doris became connected to the Johnstone family of Thunder Bay. Bruce's brother Don Johnstone (married Martha "Marty" Ewert) was Joan's brother-in-law. Bruce served with the Thunder Bay Police Department for over 30 years and received the Médaille de la police pour services distingués from the Governor General of Canada in 1984.

As a Snook descendant through her father Edward Langley Snook and grandfather John Gray Snook, Doris's grandchildren through Joan are blood relatives of Ron Currie.

Sources

[1 Doris Suttie obituary, The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal, February 2012]

[2 Joan Johnstone obituary, The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal, December 2004]