Obituary of Susanne Micheaux Kaplan

KAPLAN,

Susanne Micheaux

1938 - 2024

Susanne Micheaux Kaplan, age 85, passed away in her sleep on June 30, 2024 in Surrey, BC. Rabbi Jeremy Parnes will officiate the graveside ceremony on Thursday, July 4th, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Congregation Agudas Israel Cemetery in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Schara Tzedeck Cemetery Board (New Westminster, BC) in conjunction with Congregation Agudas Israel and Saskatoon Funeral Home handled all funeral arrangements.  

Susanne was born in Boston, MA to Drs. Luther Strayer Jr. and Estella Strayer (Ginsburg) on October 19, 1938, spending her childhood and early adolescence playing at the beach behind her house and sailing in the waters in Lordship, CT.  After graduating from MacDuffie School, Susanne matriculated at the University of Connecticut (B.F.A.) and study aboard programs at the University of Edinburgh and the Sorbonne University.  Later, Susanne completed a B.Ed. at Acadia University and a Master of Art Education at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.  An artist, musician, and intellectual curious person, she explored various forms of art, including portrait painting, sculpture, and carving; participated in choirs or played guitar at parties; and was often found to have her nose in a book.  As a passion project, she worked as the artist/art editor for Atlantis – the Women’s Studies Journal from its inception in 1975 to1984. Some of her paintings are in private homes, while others are part of public collections, e.g., Herself is part of the Mount Saint Vincent University collection and her portrait of Lorne Calvert (former premier of Saskatchewan) is on permanent display in the Saskatchewan Gallery. Susanne was deeply spiritual and closely connected to the Congregation Agudas Israel, serving as president from 2001 to 2005. 

Susanne is predeceased by her husband, Dr. David L. Kaplan and brother, Dr. Luther Strayer III; and is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Wolff; son, Mr. Ivor MacKay, and daughter Dr. Elise Ginsburg; grandchildren Zachariah MacKay, Zoe MacKay, Alexandra MacKay, Solomon Ginsburg, and Ari Ginsburg; and two great grandchildren Shanaea MacKay and Zidane MacKay, and stepchildren  Mr. Jonathan Kaplan, Dr. Edward Kaplan, and  Ms.Sarah Kaplan.

Memorial donations may be made to the SPCA, to Congregation Agudas Israel, or Israel. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Rabbi Parnes, Schara Tzedeck Cemetery Board, Congregation Agudas Israel and Saskatoon Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will take place on Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Agudas Israel Cemetery.

Condolences may be shared and left for the family at www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com