Susan Anita McTighe passed away peacefully Thursday, April 14 surrounded by her loved ones in her treasured Calgary home at the age of 79, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Sue was born Jan. 18, 1932 in Foremost, Alta., the youngest daughter of Lyle and Eva Whitney, and after an idyllic small town childhood, lived most of her life in Calgary.
Sue worked in the printing industry in Calgary before she married Frank McTighe. The couple then called a small mobile trailer home for several years, travelling across the province to various communities where Frank operated a dragline in gravel pits for Gallelli Construction. In 1959 the McTighes bought the home in Calgary where Sue would spend the rest of her life.
Sue took great pride in being a homemaker and mother. Her flower gardens were the envy of the neighbourhood and when she wasn’t working around the home Sue kept busy volunteering at St. Luke’s school and the Catholic Thrift Store, and supporting her children’s many activities.
Sue opened her home to everyone, making them welcome and enjoying the opportunity to visit. One of Sue’s greatest joys was being hostess to the countless young people who passed through the doors while her children Cheryl and Frank were growing up.
When the children were raised Sue returned to the work force, working at Alcraft Printing, Ogilvie Printing, providing home care to seniors and at Designacryl, where she developed a reputation for quality work and dedication to her job.
When Sue retired from the work force she focused on making her home the hub for her family, taking great pleasure in visits by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends.
Sue was predeceased by her father Lyle Whitney; mother Eva Whitney; sisters Helen, Muriel and Dell; brothers Don, Jerry and Boyd; nephew Matthew Lockerbie; son-in-law David Lockerbie; and nephews Bruce, Ross and Ron Taylor.
Sue is survived by her second husband John Farrell; her daughter Cheryl Lockerbie; her son Frank McTighe and his wife Emily; grandsons Ryan (Shanda) McTighe, Dan (Alisha) McTighe, Scott Lockerbie and Michael McTighe; great grandchildren Jackson McTighe and Danica McTighe; and many nieces and nephews.
Sue is also fondly remembered by many special friends including Bruce and Jude Batty, Ray Cirone, Sam Keshavjee, James Hofer, Keith and Sue Wells, John Burns, Randy and Leah Hayes, Lloyd and Veronica Butt, Fred Thom, Fraser Pittman, Kevin Kimmel, Bob Whiteley, Sean Carrigan, Water Well Larry Field, Stuart McAllister, Vipan (Bob) Dole, Milton S. Henders, Grant Hart, Lawrence (Bear) Wallace, Bob J. Kazakoff, Brent Mullins, Toby Entz, Ben Stahl and Kevin (Smiley) Bereska.
In keeping with Sue’s wishes, a private graveside service will be held at Queen’s Park Cemetery.