Susanne Laverock Phillips

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Susanne (Susie) Laverock Phillips, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, teacher, mentor, and community steward.

Born on November 26, 1945, in Burford, Ontario to Kathleen and Roy Miles, Susie grew up surrounded by beauty and blooms in her parents’ generational floral business. Her early years among flowers sparked a lifelong love of plants, gardening, and the natural world.

A gifted student and athlete, Susie graduated from Burford High School with the rare distinction of Best All Around Female Athlete and Best All Around Academic. She went on to earn a degree in English at Waterloo Lutheran University, followed by a Phys Ed degree (BPhE) at the University of Waterloo, and finally teacher training at OISE in Toronto.

Susie took her first teaching job at Southmount Highschool in Hamilton in 1969. It was in Hamilton that she met Kent, who had just completed his MD and Internship and was working in the ER of St Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton. Kent was dating a nurse, who happened to be Susie’s roommate!! Needless to say, he was immediately smitten with Susie, and they fell in love.

In 1972, Susie and Kent were married, under the apple tree in her parents’ front yard. They moved to Muskoka, which was dear to both of them. They built a life rooted in love, family, learning, laughter, and community. Together, they raised three children, Sarah, Kristen, and Kent Jr (Kip), instilling in them the same spirit of curiosity, kindness, and generosity that Susie embodied.

She leaves behind her devoted husband Kent; her three beloved children and their families: Sarah Bain (Jake) and grandchildren Drew and Katelin; Kristen Jones (Chris) and grandchildren Claire and Ryan; and Kip Phillips (Amy Bridle) and grandchildren Berkeley and Knowlton. She will be missed by her loyal dog, Branson, who is the most misbehaved of the lot! Susie was predeceased by her brother Robert Miles and is survived by her younger brother David Miles (Lynn) and their children, Eric and Courtney. Fondly remembered by her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, many nieces, nephews, and friends who are family.

A passionate learner with wide-ranging interests, Susie had a great enthusiasm for Canadian art and antiques, birdwatching, flowers, travelling, cycling, canoe trips, camping in her 5th wheel, woodworking, tennis, hiking, and even a little golf. Her pursuit of knowledge in her interests led her back to school later in life, where she studied art, antiques, and woodworking, eventually turning her passions into a thriving business - Dovetails in Port Carling, Ontario.

Susie was a member of many cherished groups: the Birthday Girls, Beading Group, Golden Slam Tennis Girls, Prayer Group, Bible Study Group, Gourmet Group, Wine Wednesday Girls and over 40 years of Book Club camaraderie.

She brought fun and creativity to every gathering and loved entertaining. She planned parties, games, and her children’s weddings with precision. Her home, whether in town or at her beloved cottage “Kenpegali,” was always open-hosting extended family, dear friends, friends of her children, Rotary exchange students, and a Syrian refugee family over the years.

Community involvement was important to Susie. She served on numerous boards and committees over her lifetime, including the United Church Executive Board, where she also taught Sunday School for 19 years. She was deeply engaged with YWCA (winning the Maggie Ringling Award for pioneering women’s services in Muskoka), Bracebridge Arts Council, Canadian Federation of University Women, and supporter for organizations including Interval House, Meals on Wheels, the Canadian Cancer Society, Arthritis Society, and Muskoka Conservancy.

In 1986, alongside dear friends Gwen Drew and Mary Gower, Susie co-authored the cookbook "A Taste of Muskoka", a celebration of the Muskoka region’s culinary tastes, with recipes from several local resorts intermixed with cherished family recipes.

To those who knew her, Susie was more than the sum of her achievements. She was a dear devoted friend to many, a steady presence and a voice of reason. She did it all with practicality, kindness and sometimes a little humour! Her love for her family was profound and unwavering, always there when needed to listen, give advice or help out. “Granny” delighted in every grandchild, getting to know each of them personally, celebrating their milestones, and creating traditions that will carry on for generations.

The Phillips family would like to thank Dr Jenn Hammell, Dr Bharti Mittal, Paramed, Nurse Kelsi and Colleen Hurrell for the compassionate care they gave to Susie.

Susie leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, community, and connection. Her life was a masterclass in how to live with purpose and passion, and her spirit will continue to guide those lucky enough to have known her.

A Celebration of Susie’s Life will be held at the following times:

Visitation: Friday, October 24th 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Reynolds Funeral Home, 1 Mary Street, Bracebridge, Ontario.

Funeral Service: Saturday, October 25th at 1pm at Bracebridge United Church, 46 Dominion Street, Bracebridge, Ontario.

Celebration of Life: Saturday, October 25th from 2-5pm at the Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame Museum & The Venue, 1512 Hwy 118W, Bracebridge, Ontario.

All who knew and loved her are welcome.

*Bracebridge United Church does not have the capability of livestreaming the service. We are planning to open a Zoom meet and attempt to show the funeral online for those who cannot attend. If for some reason there are connection problems, we apologize and will have a recording available afterwards.

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Meeting ID: 822 8965 5656

Passcode: 900051