It is with profound heartache that we share the news of Susan Goodman’s peaceful passing at her home on November 30th, 2023. Born in Winnipeg on September, 15, 1953, Susan was a generous and devoted mother, sister, aunt and friend who will forever be deeply loved and missed. Susan is survived by her only child, Jessica Nigh-Featherstone (Michael), brother, Neil Goodman (Georgina), her nieces and nephews, Richard, Nicholas, Mark, Adrian and Lucas, and her best friend Cathy, who supported her unconditionally.

Susan relocated to Toronto as a young girl, later attending Emery Collegiate and completing her studies with a Bachelor of Social Studies from York University. She went on to have a successful 40 year career, working with Community Living Toronto. For 20 of those years, Susan volunteered to run a Monday night cooking class for those with special needs, a highlight of her career. She was well respected by colleagues and clients alike and formed many special relationships along the way.

But her most fulfilling and meaningful role was being a mom to Jessica, and in more recent years, a mother-in-law to Mike. He truly was the son she never had. Susan was a natural mother with a young-at-heart and free-spirited disposition. The former teen go-go dancer was always up for fun and adventure, traveling with Jessica since she was a little girl. From Orlando and Mexico to PEI, the mother-daughter duo was always on the go. In more recent years they visited her homeland of Iceland to celebrate her retirement and 65th birthday. Susan loved to travel, and saw many places throughout her life but, Negril, Jamaica was her favourite.

Susan’s true sanctuary, though, was her long-time home on the Scarborough bluffs, where she spent 35 wonderful years. This is where Jessica grew up and where she raised three beloved Bouviers. Moving on from that part of her life was bittersweet, but Susan was fortunate to have loved her condo nearly as much, constantly redecorating and sharing weekly sunset and sunrise pictures from her balcony.

A music lover and avid reader, Susan would lose herself in fiction, often flying through a book in a couple of days. She was known to frequent her local “free little libraries”, and her friend Cathy would supply her with endless books. Eventually, Susan got an iPad with the library app to help support her reading obsession. And we can’t forget about her love of fashion. At 70 she was still shopping at Anthropologie and Aritzia - her personal style was admirable.

When Susan wasn’t turning pages or online shopping, she could probably be found in the kitchen. Susan loved food and was an exceptional cook, always finding the best deals on king crab legs or bread, and going the extra mile with the freshest ingredients. Her Christmas Eve menu was a cherished annual tradition, and she would take pride in making Ukrainian delights such as Sauerkraut, Pierogies and her grandmother's meatballs. Another specialty was satays and pad thai from her favourite Thai cookbook, gifted to her in the 80’s by her worldly Dutch flight attendant friend, Miriam. Through her travels, Susan tried many new foods and restaurants, begrudgingly enjoying a few fine dining experiences with Jessica, but was always most comfortable in her home kitchen, sharing her creations with her social media followers.

Unapologetically living life on her own terms, Susan marched to the beat of her own drum and ultimately had no regrets. She was a truly content and positive person and her thoughtful and giving nature made a significant impact on those she connected with. She was thriving in her retirement years and we only wish she had been able to enjoy more of them.

Those who knew her know she was fiercely true to herself, she was steadfast, and she was uniquely Susan Goodman.

A private service for cremation has taken place and details for a Celebration of Life will become available in the new year.

Donations can be made in Susan’s name to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to Save Our Scruff www.saveourscruff.org, a non-profit dog rescue and rehome charity, a cause exceptionally close to her heart.

The following quote spoke to Susan and is a good reminder about the power of love and relationships.


“Like branches on a tree, we may grow in different directions, yet our root remains as one. Each of our lives will always be a special part of one another.” - Anonymous