Mrs. Susan Doris Armstrong (Folino), age 56 years, of Thunder Bay, passed away comfortably in her bed at home on October 17, 2015 with her loved ones by her side following a yearlong battle with cancer.
Susan was born March 24, 1959 in St. Joseph’s Hospital, second daughter and third child to Charles and Jean Folino. She was baptized at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church.
As a lifetime resident of Port Arthur (Thunder Bay) Susan attended St. Bernard, St. Ignatius and PACI. Susan grew up in Port Arthur, her childhood and early teen years living at 65 Martha Street and mid teen years at 79 Hillcourt Drive. During the summers, the Folino family lived at their cabin at 65 Clover Beach, off Lakeshore Drive. Susan managed to make friends at all of these locations while growing up and was still in close contact with most of them.
After Susan finished with high school, she decided to enter the workforce early where she would meet all of her lifelong friends who are as close today as they were back then; they are all family to her. Susan's work history starts at the Shoreline Motor Hotel from the mid 70’s up till the mid 80’s, Iron Range Bus lines, and most recently, Pinewood Court Nursing Home. At Pinewood Court, Susan made a small family of the most close-knit women. They were her gang and ever since Susan got sick these amazing women came over twice a week, and after their visit, Susan looked happy and refreshed.
Susan was a devoted mother, wife and most recently, grandmother. So devoted that she swore she was going to meet her granddaughter before she passed, and she did. She enjoyed doing everything and anything for her family, but she also loved getting away with just her husband Shawn (of 28 years marriage) after the kids were "grown-up". Susan also enjoyed spending the summers camping in the 5th wheel and playing baseball.
Susan had a giant heart and a real soft spot for children, and she proved this when she became a mother all over again in 2008 at the age of 49, when she took in her great niece Fallon at 10 months old. Susan had an incredible bond with her parents all of her life and went to great lengths taking on all of her father’s responsibilities when he became ill, as well as taking care of her mother for 9 years after her father's passing.
Susan is survived by her husband Shawn; son Michael; daughter Shannon; granddaughter Madilyn; great niece Fallon Copeland; sister Gladys Merilainen; numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and second cousins. Susan was predeceased by her father Charles in 1993, mother Jean in 2002 and mother-in-law Viola Armstrong in 2013.
A special Thank You to Susan's sisters-in-law Diane Olsen and Connie Zanni for your support and strength during the final days of Susan's life. You kept us from falling apart and have done more for us than you could ever know.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2015 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, presided by Rev. Fr. Jerin Louis of Corpus Christi Church. Visitation for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service. Donations in Susan’s memory to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
