It is with profound sadness that the family of Susan Christina Sweeney (nee Cleary) announces her passing on June 7, 2023 at the age of 93. She was the loving wife to her husband Eugene, who she has now been reunited with in Heaven, and a proud matriarch and loving mother to their three children.

Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1929, Susan’s strong Irish roots would remain with her throughout her life. She was born to loving parents (Peter and Susan Cleary), whom she adored along with her two sisters (Peggy Balfe and Pauline Cleary) and two brothers (Peter Cleary and Colin Cleary). In 1952, like many Irish people of her time, she made the difficult decision to leave her family and home country to venture off to Canada, which would prove to be the greatest decision of her life.

In Canada, Susan met the love of her life, a proud Irishman from County Monaghan, Eugene Sweeney in 1955. They were married in Dublin in 1957. Though thousands of miles between them, Susan and Eugene remained close to their families back home never forgetting their Irish roots. As new Canadians, they established life-long friendships not only among Toronto’s Irish community, but also with many other new immigrants to Canada from many other countries. They were happily married until Eugene’s passing in 2004.

Once they started a family of their own, their love for all things Irish spread to their three children, Eugene Jr. (Marilyn), Peter (Judy), and Imelda (Martin Kearney – predeceased 2016). Susan was the loving grandmother to Robert (Katie), Peter, Anna (Ben), Patrick, Daniel, Elizabeth (David), Niall (Marisa), Michael, Declan (Katia) and Alana, and loving step-grandmother to Pamela (Gord), Paul (Alanna) and Paige (Drew). Susan was also the proud great-grandmother to Rory and Shea, and step-great-grandmother to Fleur, Arthur, Thomas and Friedrich. ‘Auntie Susie’ is also remembered fondly by her family in Ireland including her many nieces, nephews and by her sister-in-law Mary Nicholl (Greg) and Paddy Sweeney (Genevieve).

Susan led a life of service to so many. She loved people and especially children. A true teacher at heart, which, coupled with her compassion, would lead her to work helping students with special needs as an Education Assistant with the TCDSB (formerly MSSB). Susan was honoured to serve as a Eucharistic Minister for many years at her parish, Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church and at Meadowcroft Place Assisted Living. She will be deeply missed by all of her close friends at the Emerald Isle Seniors’ Society, where she was a proud and long-time member. Susan also had a passion for gardening and was very proud of all of her beautiful flowers and plants.

Susan was able to enjoy a very long and happy life until her cancer recently returned. She spent her final days at The Dorothy Ley Hospice in Etobicoke, surrounded by her family and visited by friends. The Sweeney and Kearney Family would like to thank the palliative care team and staff at The Dorothy Ley Hospice for the loving, dignified and compassionate care that Susan received during her final days.

May she rest eternally in peace.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 12th at Turner & Porter Butler Chapel, 4933 Dundas Street West, Etobicoke, Ontario from 2 pm to 4 pm and from 6 pm to 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Dorothy Ley Hospice or the Canadian Cancer Society. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, June 13th at 10:00 a.m. at Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church, 480 Rathburn Road, Etobicoke, Ontario. A livestream of the Mass will be available by clicking the button below. Interment at Assumption Cemetery in Mississauga following Mass. A celebration of Susan’s life will continue following the Mass and Cemetery at 12:30 at The Islington Golf and Country Club, 45 Riverbank Drive, Toronto.