Major Susan Groves (retired)
Born In: Sydney
Passed in: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Passed on: January 23rd, 2016
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved daughter, Major (retired) Susan Violet Groves (Kiley), Ottawa, Ont., Jan. 23, 2016.
Susan is survived by her parents, Edward and Theresa (Kiley) Hashem of Sydney, N.S.; her husband and eternal love, Dr. Richard Groves; daughters, Linda Horn (Ritcey) of Cochrane, Ont. and Margaret Anne Ritcey (Dean Cliche), Trenton, Ont.; sister, Judy Thomson (Dan Cloutier) Toronto, and her three brothers, Louis and John Hashem (Linda Nishimoto), Medicine Hat, Alta. and Tony Hashem (JoAnn Yurchesyn), Richmond, Vermont. Susan will live forever in the hearts of her six grandchildren, Savannah, Natasha, Amber, Russell, Josh and Dylan and her four precious great-grandchildren, Jackson, Cara, Faolan and Rinoa, all of whom were the light of her and Richard’s life. She will also be forever missed by her many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Susan was born in Sydney, N.S. She attended Dalhousie University in Halifax where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (1982). Susan joined the Canadian Forces in 1989 as a pharmacy officer. She served at CFB Greenwood, N.S., CFB Petawawa, Ont., CFB Calgary, Alta. and National Defence Medical Centre, Ottawa, Ont. Highlights of her career included a UN peacekeeping tour in Bosnia in 1992, serving as commanding officer of the Field Medical Equipment Depot (FMED) in Calgary, and serving for four years as the officer in charge of all Canadian Forces pharmacy services, holding the acting rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. She served on many national and international committees, including the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities as the de facto Registrar for the CF and the Military/Emergency Pharmacy Section (MEPS) of the International Pharmaceutical Federation. She officially retired from the Canadian Forces in May 2013 and the Public Service of Canada in July 2013.
Susan was an incredible individual and an inspiration to her family, friends, and everyone who knew her. She was smart, witty, deeply compassionate toward others and a strong advocate of human and civil rights. Even through her illness, Susan and Richard continued to enjoy their love of travel and found great joy in their glorious gardens that they had created together. Throughout her 31 month battle with cancer, her courage, positivity and will to enjoy every moment that life had to offer her was simply astounding to everyone around her. She will forever be remembered and deeply missed.
Funeral will be held at the National Cemetery of Canada, in Ottawa, on Friday Feb. 5th, 2016. The family will be prepared to greet guests at noon. Service will be at 1 p.m. with interment at 2 p.m., followed by a reception and refreshments.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to any health related charity of your choice.
