Obituary of Susan Fern Pendray

April 9, 1954 – Edmonton, Alberta

December 18, 2024 – Red Deer, Alberta

Susan Pendray, beloved partner of Kirby Lucas, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the age of 70, in Red Deer, AB. She was born on April 9, 1954, in Edmonton, AB, to parents, Harvey Joseph Pendray and Lillian Fern Gutherie (Pendray).

Susan was a loving mother, partner, friend, colleague, and teacher. She is survived by her partner Kirby Lucas, her son Graham Reid (Portia), her daughter Morgan Elaine (Ryan), and her extended daughter-in-law Oksana Maradyn. She was predeceased by her parents, Harvey and Lillian (Fern).

Susan grew up in the Edmonton area but eventually made her way around Alberta with stops in Jasper, High River, Calgary, and eventually Red Deer. Susan was a well-known figure in the fund development and non-profit sectors, working for many charitable organizations throughout her career. She was an integral part of several large fundraising campaigns for organizations that included Scouts Canada, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF), and Woods Homes, among others. Susan completed her career as a continuing education instructor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, where she passed on her expertise and experience in fund development to a new generation of fundraisers!

Sue had a passion for the outdoors. When she was younger, she was an accomplished downhill skier both competing in, and winning, several large downhill ski races. Her love for the outdoors took her to Jasper, AB, where she spent a lot of time hiking, skiing, and camping with family and friends throughout her life. Susan was known for her green thumb, often putting together beautiful flower gardens in the summer months and maintaining an impressive array of large and unique house plants in her home. She loved music and was a big fan of Rod Stewart, The Eagles, Blue Rodeo, The Monkees, and The Beatles. Later in life, Susan developed a passion for travelling which eventually took her across Canada to the Maritimes, Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and eventually all the way to Europe where she spent an amazing month travelling across England, France, Italy, and Switzerland with Kirby!

Susan will be fondly remembered for her quick wit, her infectious personality, her willingness to teach and mentor, and for the memorable vacations she shared with her family. She will be deeply missed by her loved ones and all those who had the pleasure of knowing her which included many colleagues, neighbours, friends, and students. There will be no visitation or prayer services at this time however, a celebration of life event honouring Susan will be planned in early 2025.

Susan Pendray will be most remembered for her kind heart, infectious laughter, and unwavering love for her family and friends. She will be forever cherished and deeply missed.

"Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear."

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to either the Alzheimer Society of Canada, 20 Eglinton Ave West, 16th Floor, Toronto, ON M4R 1K8, Tel (416) 488-8772, www.alzheimer.ca, or the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (Dementia and Cognitive Disorders), Health Research Innovation Centre, Room 1A10, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4. Tel (403) 220-3558, https://hbi.ucalgary.ca/donate.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Susan’s family here.

In living memory of Susan Pendray, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Calgary Crematorium, 3219 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 3A6, Telephone: 403-299-0111.