Susan Lee Clarke, née Henniger, of Ottawa, ON, was surrounded by her loving family when she died peacefully on March 5, 2026
Born and raised in Smiths Falls, ON, to Perry and Ella Henniger, Susan was a June baby who shared the warmth of an early summer day with everyone she met.
Susan was always giving to her friends and family, offering a delicious meal, a warm hug, and sound advice. Her home was always available to anyone needing a loving place to lay their head for a spell.
Bright, full of laughter, and thoughtful conversation, Susan was a graduate of Queen’s University. In addition to being a full-time mom, she also spent time as an elementary school teacher, and a volunteer for Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Her children remember her as the woman who gave them the most solid and loving home any child could ever ask for.
Susan met the love of her, Alen Clarke, at the age of 13, while climbing a neighbour’s tree. At 25 the two married, and set out on a life of adventure. Living across Canada, Germany, India, Israel and Egypt, Sue was a master of creating a warm home and community anywhere she landed. Her sense of adventure never failed, and there was nobody more fun to travel with.
Her accomplishments were of the soft, gentle and beautiful kind. From cooking, to knitting, to needlepoint, to sewing, Susan was always creating and sharing beautiful things. She had a distinct passion for building beauty into her life and the lives of those around her.
When it came to friends and family, she was steadfast, always there, sharing her quiet strength, no matter the task. All this, combined with her ready humour and unwavering kindness, made her the best of role models to her two grandchildren, as well as her many (grand) nieces and nephews, and wide network of friends and family that she loved so dearly.
Susan is survived by Alen, her husband of more than 60 years, her two brother’s Jim Henniger (Isabel, née Pilkington) and Ross Henniger (Gay, née Carroll), her son Perry (Kim, née Carnesale), and Daughter Sarah (Terry Goulah). And of course, her two grandchildren who she loved more dearly than anything, Alexandra Clarke and Jaret Goulah.
There is no place on earth that Susan loved more deeply than her cottage at Chaffeys. The happiest of memories were shared there, where everything she loved came together. Friends, family, laughter, “The Lake”, dinner parties, and lots of gin. She will always be remembered but most especially, she will be remembered there. She will be dearly missed.
A memorial will be held in Susan’s honour, this summer at Chaffey’s. Details will follow.
Digital Guestbook
Dianne Rummery
Anita Walden
I was so saddened to hear of this loss. I too have such wonderful memories of Sue and Alen both at the Regiment, their cottage and then our posting in Gagetown. Sue was our son Mark's first teacher - he loved her dearly and she was so supportive of him. Alen, my heart goes out to you and there are no words to ease your loss but it will be the wonderful memories with Sue your soulmate that will sustain you.
Sue,Shirley Kaulbach and I were in Diplomatic Hospitality together providing both snowshoes and food. to our guests. Part of our kit was a 90cup coffee pot which blew every fuse from embassies to the Supreme Court. We had the most wonderful time and of course Sue with her happy smile was such fun. Everything she did was with good cheer and great care from magnificent meals to wedding dresses. Chaffeys Locks was her special space and she was kind enough to share it including the gin and tonics by the river. Her father made the most unusual and beautiful furnishings which were displayed in her home and shared in a book.
Anyone who shared her friendship was blessed. She will always have a special place in my heart.