Schaad, Susanne Martha - 85 passed away on Aug 9, 2011. She is survived by her brothers Cornelius and Lutz von der Hellen, her sister Lisso Gerke and her children Ingrid (David) Larmer, Thomas (Arian) and Michael (Natalie) and her grandchildren Robert and Steven Larmer, Stephanie, Thomas Christopher and Alaina Schaad. Susanne von der Hellen was born on Dec 6, 1925 on a farm in Ueterlande, Bremerhaven, West Germany. She was the eldest of five children with 3 brothers, a sister. Growing up on a farm she loved spending time with animals. She especially loved horses and was an accomplished rider winning many competitions while in high school. Susanne also excelled early on as a gardener winning a best of class in a gardening event in Stuttgart. Susanne met Walter Schaad in Bremerhaven with a little help from their mutual friends Elsbeth and Siegfried Alex. A rapid romance ensued. Susanne left the life she knew in Germany behind and travelled across the ocean to follow her heart. Susanne was married to Walter Schaad in 1955 at the United Church in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, and in 1958 moved to her long term residence of Sunrise Trail Farm in Tatamagouche Nova Scotia. Susan was very involved in the family dairy farming operation. Her community involvement included organizing the Hospital Benefit Dances always assisting neighbours and friends with rides to Doctors appointments. When she was not helping to run the farming operation or looking after her children her passions included swimming in the ocean and looking after her numerous flower gardens. Susanne will be remembered for many things including her positive outlook on life, her commitment to her friends and family later on her determination to fight through her many physical ailments. Susanne was well known for her great cooking, her many preserves and her hand made flower cards. Susanne will be missed by almost everyone that had the opportunity to spend any time with her. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2011 from 6-9 pm at Coulters Funeral Home, 48 Riverside Drive P.O. Box 190 Tatamagouche Nova Scotia B0K 1V0. Funeral services will be held at the Sharon United Church in Tatamagouche at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 12. For all the care and compassion shown to Susan a special thanks goes out to all the staff at the Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital of Tatamagouche. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital in Tatamagouche or the Canadian Cancer Society. Online condolences can be forwarded to the family by visiting the funeral home website at: www.mmcfunerals.com