Obituary of Susan COWAN (nee Knight)

September 23, 1928 - August 13, 2020

A beautiful and long life.

Born in London, England to Major Richard and Pamela Knight, her loving parents. The challenges of living through the war years in England and not long after losing her only sibling Richard in a car accident, set Susan up with a resilience and determination to ‘live’ and keep moving forward, that carried her through the ups and downs of her life. She had an admirable ability to always know when to make change and start a new chapter, or set down new roots. Looking back only with nostalgia, but never with regret.

Despite her proper English upbringing, Susan was an out-of-the-box thinker and, in the late 1950s, headed to Canada to seek adventure and a new way of life. In Calgary, she finally found her Pat, who was also from the UK. They married in 1963 and quickly started their family and a blessed 16 years together, mostly at their ‘dream’ property in the beautiful Priddis valley. Pat died too soon from cancer in 1979 and Susan never remarried, but continued to raise her two daughters and move on with life as she did, embracing new adventures and challenges equally along the way.

Susan loved to entertain and share her beautiful home and the bounties of her garden with her varied cross-section of friends and family, and new acquaintances. Many interesting and colourful people came to visit or stay over the years, including two Indian gurus, a group of British schoolgirls (who camped next to the creek), and a pair of Japanese exchange students, to name just a few.

Susan possessed a naïve fearlessness; intense curiosity; a cheeky desire to defy conventions; and a child-like sense of fun. All of which gave her a twinkle in her eye at the mere idea of an adventure. Always willing to try new things, see new places, and meet new people. She was fortunate enough to be able to travel and have seen many parts of the world and its diversity, most enjoyably when accompanied by her family or friends. Fiercely independent, she had a penchant for long solo drives, sometimes without a clear destination, including an epic journey in the 1950s from Britain through France and Spain to Morocco in a VW Bug. She phoned her girls one September to say she was following a sign that said ‘to Alaska’ and did we mind?

Susan was a good balance of proper English lady and down-to-earth country girl. Equally happy dressing up for a night at the theatre, or donning her rubber boots to muck out the henhouse. She was generous with the people she loved and the causes that she championed. She believed in kindness and equality in all its forms, the benefits of naturopathic medicine, and that all life’s problems, whether great or small, could be solved digging in the garden.

Susan was especially proud of the work she did with women and children in Morocco for the British Save the Children Fund, as well as her involvement with the Tibetan community, and her 25 years volunteering with Calgary Meals on Wheels. She designed and tended many beautiful and diverse gardens over the years which nurtured her spirit and creativity, instilling an equal passion in both her daughters. She was also a great supporter of the arts, in all forms, including Calgary Opera since its inception.

Mom could be unflinchingly stubborn, determined and doggedly independent-minded. It turns out that these traits, along with her wonderful sense of humour, would be the ones she needed most during these last 8 years of her “long goodbye”. It was an honour and a privilege to witness her enduring strength along this journey.

Susan is survived by her daughters Ruth and Gillian and her beloved grandchildren Paige and Ethan. Also by her sister-in-law Joyce, niece Patricia, and nephews George, Arthur, and Robert and their families as well as her many cousins and godchildren.

A special thank you for the support of Dr. Rebecca  Leonard and the tireless care team at Wentworth Manor, many of whom became like Susan’s family these last years. Also to the many wonderful companions from Home Instead who supported her independent spirit and love of the outdoors that was so integral to her being.

Because of current circumstances, Susan’s wish for a gathering of friends and family will be planned at a later time when hugs are possible again. In lieu of flowers, please gather some garden blooms for your own tables and have a toast in Mom’s honour. She would like that. Please consider a donation to the Calgary Alzheimer’s Society.

August 2021 Update
A gathering of friends and family are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life to be held at The Calgary Golf & Country Club (919 - 50 Ave SW, Calgary, AB) on Friday, August 27, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., in honour of Mom’s love of bringing people together. Please wear cheerful colours (no denim, please).