In loving memory of
Susan Marion Burns
The family have chosen this music to commemorate their loved one.
Susan Marion Burns died August 30 in the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater, NS. She was born in Stratford on September 24, 1938, the daughter of the late Charles and Una Dingman.
She is survived by her daughter Kirsten Barr, Mill Village, NS; Christopher Barr (Beata), Toronto; John Barr (Anna), Arlington, VA; Michael Barr (Petya), Marbella, Spain; grandchildren Krystyna Barr, Jack Barr, Kelly Koleva and Alena Barr; her former husband Robert Barr, Toronto, formerly of Stratford and brother-in-law John Barr. She was predeceased by her husband Dr. Stuart Burns.
She is also survived by her brother Charles Dingman, sister-in-law Margaret Dingman and nephews and niece Thor Dingman, Carolyn Dingman all of Stratford and Robert Dingman of Kitchener. Her brother Stanford Dingman died in 2007, her sister-in-law Elisabeth Dingman died in 2011 and her nephew Brian Dingman in 2025, all formerly of Stratford.
In 1947, Susan contracted polio during the epidemic in Stratford and lost the use of her left leg. She was taken to Victoria Hospital in London and remained there for a month in the isolation ward. During that period, her parents could only observe her through a window out of concern the disease was contagious.
On her ninth birthday, Susan’s parents traveled with her by train to the Elizabeth Kenny Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She remained there for treatment and physical therapy until the summer of 1948 before being reunited with her family in Stratford.
Susan ultimately walked without assistance but at times relied on her “sticks,” a spunky lady with a contagious smile who never let her handicap hold her back. She learned to ski with a group of amputees, strapping her impacted left leg to her right, skiing with only one ski and “out-riggers,” specially designed poles with mini skis on the end.
An avid collector of antiques and talented interior designer, Susan filled her homes with furniture from centuries past.
Over her lifetime she lived in Stratford, London, South Conway, New Hampshire, Lebanon, Indiana, Cuba, Toronto, near Lindsay, ON, and latterly with her daughter in southeast Nova Scotia.
Susan served as women’s editor of The Beacon Herald for a period, as an office manager for her late husband, Stuart Burns’ medical practice and, while in Cuba, ran a video production business.
She volunteered with a group of men suffering from AIDS and HIV, hosting a support group in her home in Toronto at the height of the AIDS epidemic.
Susan will be remembered by a family celebration of her life in Toronto at a yet-to-be determined date. She was a forever-hopeful player of the lottery, which benefits various charities and her family urges supporters to buy a ticket (or a few!) in her honour.
Her family also remains grateful to the staff of South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia for their compassionate care. Arrangements entrusted to Personal Care Cremations & Memorial Services
Donations in her memory can be made to the South Shore Health Foundation. https://sshfoundation.ca/ways-to-give/gifts-in-memory/
PRINTABLE VERSION
SERVICES & GATHERINGS
Service Note
Susan will be remembered by a family celebration of her life in Toronto at a yet-to-be determined date.FAVOURITE CAUSES
PHOTOS
Click any image to start slideshow.
The family have chosen this music to honour their loved one.
Feel free to press Play and listen as you view the photo slideshow.
