Susan Roberts

Susan Elizabeth Roberts

July-26-1954 - April-25-2020

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Obituary of Susan Elizabeth Roberts

Roberts, Susan Susan, born 26 July 1954 in Dartford, Kent, England. Predeceased by her mother, Audrey Doris Roberts (Potter). Survived by her father, Wallace Bennett Roberts (Inge) and her loving husband Peter Martin. Susan will be missed by her extended Martin family in Ottawa, Barbara, David (Susan), Brian (Shannon), Scott (Jessica) and special Aunt Nancy Gardham in Port Perry. Susan came to Canada in 1956 with her parents, settling first in Montreal before moving to Ottawa in the late 1960s where she met her future husband, Peter. Friends for many years, they married in 1985. Susan studied at Carleton University and the University of Toronto to become a teacher. She taught secondary school in Timmins and Mattawa before joining the federal public service in the early 1980s. She worked at Agriculture Canada and Treasury Board until her retirement in 2010. Her lifelong passion was her dogs. In the mid-1980s, while on a trip to England, Sue fell in love with the Golden Retriever and so began a lifelong love affair. Over the years she developed an interest in preserving the best traits of the breed and producing dogs that exemplified what the breed was developed for – to be a hunting companion, active and energetic in the field and calm in the house. Sue was a brilliant trainer who soaked up and synthesized information as she developed her own approach to training. And she was successful. With her dogs, she earned multiple titles both in the obedience ring and the field. Her dogs were also successful in the show ring. The highlight of her handling career was successfully qualifying in the Canadian National Master Hunt Test in 2017 and again in 2018 with her best boy, Baron. After retirement, Susan and Peter moved to the rural community of Fallbrook, outside of Perth. Ever the teacher, she was happy to coach and mentor. She had a knack of being able to help people bring out the best in their dogs. She made many lifelong friends along the way. Sadly the journey was cut short by cancer. Sue passed away peacefully at home on 25 April 2020. Sue will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. Many thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Perth Hospital and the caring nurses and personal support workers from Bayshore Home Care. Their compassion was extraordinary. Donations in Sue’s memory may be made to Lanark Animal Welfare (LAWS) or Perth’s Great War Memorial Hospital Foundation. A celebration of Sue’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Blair & Son Funeral Directors, Perth. Will you search through the loamy earth for me? Climb through the briar and bramble? I will be your treasure I’m waiting for you. I’m waiting for you.