Robin Suddaby

March 6, 1933 - January 14, 2024

Anne Robin Mabel Suddaby (née Maunsell) was born in Victoria BC on March 6, 1933, the first child and eldest daughter of John Harcourt and Margaret Alice Maunsell.

Her early years were spent in Victoria and Oak Bay before the family moved in 1947 to Manson's Landing on Cortez Island BC as a result of her father's call to the Anglican ministry. In 1949 the family moved to Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island where in 1951 Robin graduated from high school with honours and scholarships.

Even at a young age it was evident that, although she was talented in several arts including painting and poetry, it was her passion for music that drove her, for music was the essence of her life.

From 1951 to 1953 she was a student at Victoria College, maintaining a high academic standing as well as participating in college life.

From 1953 to 1956 she was at UBC, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Teaching Certification.

In following years she was a teacher at several locations in BC. In 1968 she married Geoffrey Suddaby and for many years they lived in Deep Creek.

As well as teaching piano from home, she became deeply involved in the cultural life of her community, singing in the Aura Chamber Choir and serving on the executive of the Shuswap District Arts Council, many years as its president.

She was also heavily involved in the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, as a key volunteer, a wonderful host to the musicians and the audience, and for several years as chair of its Board of Directors.

After Geoffrey died unexpectedly in 1995, Robin eventually bought a home in Kamloops. Again, she participated fully in the musical life of Kamloops, and was an integral part of the chamber music community. She was throughout actively involved in the BC Choral Federation. Her contributions to these events cannot be over-stated.

Robin was predeceased by her younger sisters, Jennifer Banks and Melinda Moore.

She is survived by the following, who will miss her dearly: her brother, John Maunsell; her stepchildren, Julia Davies and Richard Suddaby; her cousins, Wendy Donawa, Tony Love, Veronica Tory Campbell, Maureen Archambault, Barbie Doyle; her nieces, Annie Morgan Banks and Lauren Vanderhaegen; and her many friends who will remember her fondly from her music days.

A remembrance of Robin will be held on Saturday, February 17 at two o'clock at St. John's Anglican Church in Salmon Arm.