Grande Cache, Alberta and Trenton, Nova Scotia
December 27, 1961 - January 29, 2025
Susan was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, and grew up in Trenton, Nova Scotia, where she excelled in several sports, including figure skating, curling, and softball. She carried this passion for life and community with her throughout her years, embodying kindness, generosity, humour, and warmth for all who knew her.
A dedicated educator, Susan graduated from Nova Scotia Teachers College and St. FX University, earning her B.Ed. She began her teaching career in Northern Ontario, where she met the love of her life, Pat. They married in 1988 and together built a beautiful life, eventually settling in Alberta, where she spent most of her career and started her family.
Her greatest pride and joy were her son, Blaine (Krista Howell), and her two grandsons, Nathan and Peter. Susan was immensely proud of Blaine and his accomplishments, always cheering him on with unwavering support and love. She adored her grandsons and cherished every moment spent with them, showering them with affection and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Susan was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was the heart of her family, always ensuring everyone had what they needed, no matter what it took. Her home was a haven for family and friends, and over the years, she welcomed many into her space as they pursued their Alberta dreams. She was the kind of person who showed up—for her parents, her siblings, her children, her grandchildren, and her extended family. Summers often found her and Pat back in Nova Scotia, spending precious time with family in Trenton and Sunny Brae.
Her love extended beyond people to the many cats and dogs she rescued over the years, all of whom lived spoiled and cherished lives under her care. In her downtime, she enjoyed watching curling, NASCAR, and listening to podcasts, always finding joy in the simple things.
Susan will be remembered for her kindness, her wit, her unwavering generosity, and her deep love for her family. She was a caretaker in every sense of the word, always putting others first and making sure everyone felt loved and supported. Her legacy is one of compassion, resilience, and an unshakable commitment to those she held dear.
Susan is survived by her husband, Pat Chartrand; her son, Blaine (Krista Howell) Chartrand; her grandsons, Peter and Nathan Chartrand (all of Grande Cache, AB); her parents, Newton and Sandra Hattie (Trenton, NS); her sisters, Carolyn (Bobby) Forgeron (Cole Harbour, NS) and Joy Hattie (Phil Pellerito) (Brantford, ON); her nephews, Robert and Cory (Kaila Matthews) Forgeron (Cole Harbour, NS); as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins who will miss her dearly.
She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Keith and Isabel Wark, and her paternal grandparents, Hazel and William (Mack) Hattie.
A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Susan’s life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
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