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Sue was involved in issues of social justice all her life. She was a co-founder of the Kitchener-Waterloo Women’s Centre in the early 1970s. She spent 10 years on the Atlantic Board of OXFAM-Canada. She served on the New Brunswick Judicial Council (1990-93), the National Rural Advisory Committee (2002-05) and the Atlantic Innovation Fund (2002-04). She was very involved with the Canadian Federation of Business & Professional Women’s Clubs, first as BPW Moncton president (2002-04), BPW New Brunswick president (2004-06), 1st Vice-president of the Canadian Federation (2006-08) and national President of BPW Canada (2008-10). She was also a member of the Canadian Federation of University Women.
Sue was a journalist for 10 years, following which she “re-tooled” her research and writing skills to work as a consultant in the fishery and, with her own company (1997-present), she carried out many research and evaluation projects that improved the lives of girls and women. Sue also worked with the homeless population in Greater Moncton for a decade.
Sue won many awards in her life. Some examples include the Senate Medal, 2017; the YWCA Woman of Distinction award in the category, Women in Public and Community Service, 2009; the Acadian Cooperative Movement award, Volunteer of the Year, 1995; Atlantic Journalism award for Best magazine/feature writing, 1991 and Canadian Association of Journalists Honourable Mention, magazines, 1990. She was the author of two books and co-author of a third.
Sue’s greatest pride in life was her daughter, Raphaëlle Calhoun Thériault, her granddaughter Laurélie Susan and grandson Nolan Gabriel, their husband and father, Patrick Cormier, who all survive her. Sue was passionate about social justice, travelling the world, meeting people, and learning about other cultures. She was always thrilled that she and Raphäelle were able to share many trips together. Sue is also survived by her siblings Laura Calhoun (Essex, ON); Wyman (Kelly) Calhoun (Windsor, ON); Dan (Eileen) Calhoun (Ottawa, ON); Ruth (Gary) Bushey (Stoney Point, ON); and Mary Paske (Kingsville, ON) as well as 11 nephews and nieces, many cousins and extended family. Sue was predeceased by her father Gerald Calhoun and her mother Dorothy Brownell, both of Essex, ON.
A celebration of life will be held at La Teraz, 154 Church st, Moncton, on Sunday September 19th from 3-5 pm. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to Crossroads for Women in Sue’s name.
“Do not go gentle into that good night,Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
-Dylan Thomas
