In Celebration of

Susan Langley

November 21, 1944 -  January 8, 2023


A fierce champion of public education, women, the environment and her family.

Leaving an amazing legacy, Susan was a thoughtful yet forceful leader. She spent 17 years as a teacher, vice principal and principal inspiring both students and teachers at 9 schools, and another 17 years at the teacher federation and provincial levels of education. She was a thoughtful yet forceful leader of teacher federations (FWTAO and OTF) that advocated for, solidify and formalize the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, pay equity for women teachers, indexing the pension, and making it retroactive for retired teachers living in poverty at the time.

She was passionate about music, achieving her honours BA in music education with an associate degree in piano from UWO at the tender age of 21 years old. Susan went on to complete a Masters of Science in education.

Susan served as the chair or dedicated member of a plethora of boards, including Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), Ontario Curriculum Clearinghouse (OCC), The Ontario Teachers Federation (OTF), The Canadian Teachers Federation (CTF), Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People (YPT),
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), Learning for A Sustainable Future (LSF) and more.

When it came to Susan’s personal life, she was the biggest champion and supporter of everyone in her family. She was so very proud of all of us, while deeply modest about her own accomplishments.

She was a passionate foodie, voracious reader, and a by-the-book Scrabble player who enjoyed a very good glass of wine and always loved to dance. She had a deep love for gardening, the Saturday crossword, board games, 1000-piece puzzles, competitive card games and tennis. Susan always made a point of leaving Laurent Saturday Presents, loved travelling, learning and appreciating other cultures. Susan’s happy place was with Laurent at Chalet Row Bear on Bob Lake, where they often hosted their blended family. She and Laurent created a hearth where unforgettable memories were created, good wine was consumed, mouth-watering meals offered, and familial strength instilled. This was the centre for hours upon hours of dedicated attention, sleepovers and fun for her grandchildren. Susan is remembered for her ever-present kindness, thoughtfulness, cheerleading and generosity that was offered to every single person she encountered.

Susan passed away Sunday January 8, 2023, in her 79th year at Princess Margaret Hospital in Palliative Care, surrounded by her loving soulmate and husband, Laurent
Joncas, and her children, Steph, son-in-law Todd and Howie (Allyson). Susan is also survived by her sister Elizabeth Langley Davidson (Ted) and stepsons Lee Joncas and Éric Joncas. She was also a dedicated and doting Nana to Bronwyn and Seamus Owens, Langley and Finn Mackie, as well as Théo, Cédric, Noah, Annabelle and Arianna Joncas; A loving Aunt to Sarah Davidson Garner (Luke), and great Aunt to Henry and Olympia Garner, cousin to Toni Myers (Michael, deceased) and son, Jackson (Kate and Lola).

A private family service was held January 14 at Turner Porter Funeral Homes. A Celebration of her remarkable life will follow this spring.

In recognition of Susan’s decades long commitment and dedication to Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF), donations to the Susan Langley Excellence in Sustainability Teaching Fund, are welcome, helping ensure Susan’s legacy as a dedicated change agent for children, teachers and the environment lives on. Susan also asked anyone willing and able to please donate blood! Without blood donors, Susan would have been lost to us much earlier.

Guestbook 

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Pascale Bélanger 

Entered January 14, 2023 from Ottawa

My most sincere condoleances to the family.

Penny Ballagh (Friend)

Entered January 16, 2023 from Scarborough

Even though I had only known Susan since 2009 I felt like she had been in my life forever!
Everything written in the memorial is SO true…… a shining example for her grandchildren.
I will miss my bridge, jigsaw puzzle, book, chai latte buddy….. and thank her for all that she brought to my life💕

Colleen McQuarrie (Colleague by Proxy)

Entered January 16, 2023 from Ottawa

To the family and loved ones of Susan - especially Howie, Alyson, Bronwyn and Seamus, I knew Susan as a force of good, and as a woman who lead with compassion and strength. I am profoundly sorry to learn of Susans passing, but I know that she and her amazing energy live on within each of you. May her light, her love and your memories of her, live long and bring each of you joy during this period of change and loss. She will continue to model the type of person I strive to be in her generosity, her desire to support those she loves, and those causes she believes in.

David Nostbakken (Fellow board member at CCNM)

Entered January 17, 2023 from Ottawa

Susan made a difference in our lives and in the world around us. She is missed.

Barbara Weiss (colleague)

Entered January 17, 2023 from Grafton

I was very saddened to learn of the news of Susan's passing. She was an incredible leader and advocate for women, naturopathic medicine and education (to name a few). As the first female to Chair the CCNM board she paved the way for others to follow. I enjoyed getting to know her and learning from her during her time as Chair. She was an inspiration, a great mentor, excellent listener and a strong and compassionate leader. My sincerest condolences to your family. I will miss her.

Photos 

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