COTTON, Suzanne

After a full life lived with zest, laughter, and a fiercely independent spirit, Suzanne Marie Cotton passed away peacefully on September 28th, 2014. Suzanne bounded into the world in Sudbury on January 31st, 1932, the eldest child of Ronald and Helen MacLaren (née Rochester). For the next 82 years, she experienced very few dull moments. Throughout her life, one of Suzanne’s passions was the theatre – both watching plays as well as acting in them. Upon graduation from Sudbury Secondary School, Suzanne boarded ship for London, where she studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. That training provided the foundation for 40 exciting years of acting in Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, and Sudbury. In Sudbury, she was a cast member of the Thorneloe Players and the Sudbury Little Theatre Guild. Both companies helped Suzanne expand her art and her circle of friends. In addition to walking the boards, Suzanne also worked for many years as a registered nurse, primarily in Hawaii, New York, and Sudbury. Retirement made it possible for Suzanne to pursue a wide range of activities, including membership in the Sudbury Bridge Club, membership in and board service with the Sudbury Opera Guild, and frequent travel. Always spry and determined to seek adventure, until recently Suzanne could be found exploring the jungles of Costa Rica, the museums of Moscow and Berlin, the Australian outback, the temples of India, or the tango clubs of Buenos Aires. Back at home, for the past 15 years Suzanne also took weekly ballroom dance lessons, where she again made many lasting friendships. In quieter moments, Suzanne adored the solitude of country life at her home in Naughton, where she and her beloved cats would gaze peacefully out at Simon Lake (and the occasional bear).  Suzanne was predeceased by her mother and father, as well as by her dear step-father, Robert Wylie Denison. Her memory flourishes in the hearts of her sister, Judith Holmes, and her nephew, Morgan Holmes, and his partner Dennis Denisoff. She also leaves behind many close friends who cherish her vibrant spirit: Brenda and Stan Punkari, as well as their daughters Kristin Hanhimaki (and her children, Miia and Kailer) and Rebecca Punkari (and her son, Davin); as well as her long-time friend Julia Priddle. The great love of Suzanne’s life, Christopher Saari, passed away before her; when she drew her final breath, she was wearing the ring he gave her. Sincere thanks go out to the staff at Health Sciences North and the staff and volunteers at Maison Vale Hospice who provided such gentle care. A celebration of Suzanne’s vibrant life will be held in the next couple of months. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wild at Heart Refuge Centre in Lively (http://wahrefugecentre.org/) or the Maison Vale Hospice in Sudbury (http://www.maisonsudburyhospice.org/) would be deeply appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to the Lougheed Funeral Home, Sudbury.