Susan passed away peacefully at Rotary Hospice House in Richmond on Nov. 24, 2022, after a full, rich, well-lived life of adventure and service to others. She faced her four-year battle with cancer with grace, inspiring others with her courage, humour, deep faith and gratitude.
Susan was born and raised in South Vancouver, the first child of Victor and Jean Chortyk. After high school, she earned her bachelor's degree in mathematics at UBC and joined the actuarial consulting firm Watson Wyatt. In 1995, Susan became a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, and the company's only female actuary west of Toronto. In 2008, she co-founded PBI Actuarial Consultants, a successful firm specializing in multi-employer pension plans. In 2019, Susan was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to finance in British Columbia. She loved to travel, visiting more than 60 countries on all seven continents. She also loved spending time at the family's vacation home at Birch Bay, Washington, and was an avid collector who enjoyed exploring antique stores wherever she travelled, looking for her latest treasure.
Susan touched and inspired so many lives with her incredible warmth, kindness, compassion, humour and generosity. She is lovingly remembered by her sister Lorie, her Aunt Pearl, cousins Denis, Ardis, Brenda, Karen and Barry, her beloved godchildren and a wide circle of cherished friends.
As a lay leader at the Parish of St. Thomas and at the diocesan level, Susan's commitment and dedication were inspiring. Her considerable skills in finance and planning combined with her professional accomplishments and experience were of huge benefit to both the parish and the diocese. She will be missed by her church community.
In recognition of her service, Susan was invested into the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster in 2014.
Her Citation reads as follows:
Susan’s service in the church began when she was just a teenager and continued all her life, serving God through her work on parish committees, on Christian formation through Cursillo and Lenten programs, and in her work on the St. Thomas Columbarium, Canonical Committees, and five successive parish retreats. In addition, Susan has been a diligent and loyal godmother to 8 lucky young people.
Her nomination to the ODNW came from her parish but she could very well have been invested again in recognition for her diocesan work, specifically as a valued member of the Property and Finance Committee of the Diocese of New Westminster.
Susan Chortyk, ODNW photographed by Wayne Chose November 2, 2014
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Dec. 9 at 1pm at St. Thomas Anglican Church, 2444 East 41st Avenue in Vancouver, with refreshments to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Susan's memory can be made to the St. Thomas Memorial Fund c/o St. Thomas Anglican Church, Vancouver.
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(Article created with files from the Vancouver Sun and Province obituary posted December 2, 2022)