Obituary of Susan Elizabeth Waywell
Sue was a strong, vibrant and charismatic force in our lives and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She leaves her husband Tom Mentrak, son Steve (Muriel), two grandsons (Elliot and Felix), 6 step-daughters (Nadine Adam, Kristen Altier, Marlene Belge, Jessica Cumber, Tiffany Weaver and Marcjanna Mentrak), 9 step-grandchildren (Nikkeya Pearce, Eric Herrmann, Miranda Roelker, Austin and Kassie Belge, Miki and Karolina Cumber, Olivia and Bradley Weaver) and 3 step great-grandchildren (Mason, Parker and Elsie Pearce).
Born in Kingston to Elspeth and Charles Baugh, Sue was the eldest of six children. She moved a lot as a child, growing up in Baltimore, Saskatoon, Brockville, and Orillia. Perhaps this influenced her later love of travel. Sue graduated with Honours from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1975 and earned her designation as a Chartered Accountant in 1977.
Sue set out for Canada’s north in 1979 and lived in both Whitehorse and Yellowknife for several years. She travelled by small plane all over the north serving clients in very remote locations and had many stories to tell of these sometimes precarious trips. It was in Yellowknife that her son Steve was born.
Upon returning to Kingston in 1989, Sue joined Collins Blay & Co. (now MNP) as a partner and had a flourishing career as an accountant and valued business advisor to many individuals, companies and community organizations in the area. In 2003 she joined the Board of Directors of CAA South Central Ontario and served as Chair from 2015 to 2017. She served on numerous charity committees throughout her career, and in retirement devoted a good deal of her time to volunteering with Interfaith Refugee Partnership, where she served as Treasurer. She found it very meaningful to help several recent Syrian refugee families get settled in Canada and find their way in their new society.
As firstborn, she was a natural leader and often the organizer of everyone and everything and never let an opportunity pass to line her siblings up in “born order”. Never shy about offering her opinion, she was frank, honest and fair. Sue was determined and tough on the outside and kind and vulnerable on the inside; she had a beautiful caring heart and that’s what mattered most. Her incredibly close friendships – particularly with her “Bridge Club” group – and busy social calendar speak to her outgoing and positive nature.
Sue loved to travel and instilled that love in her son. They took many trips around the world and in recent years Sue and Tom travelled frequently. Sue will be remembered by her friends and family for her generous nature, her love of socializing, her intelligence, wit and honesty, and her big heart.
A private family gathering has been held and a larger celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to the Baycrest Foundation (www.baycrest.org/mentrak) or the Elspeth Baugh Memorial Bursary at Queen’s University (www.givetoqueens.ca/susanwaywell).
