Obituary for Susan Perkuhn
On November 27, 2020, peacefully but far too soon, at home in West Vancouver. Much loved sister of Michael of Victoria and predeceased by her parents Brigitte and Wulff.
Susan was born and spent her childhood in Pickering, Ontario, moving to Ottawa where she graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts ( History ) degree. She pursued her first career working in technology in Ottawa and Toronto, eventually moving to Vancouver where she jumped into skiing, hiking and embracing the west coast outdoor lifestyle.
After 30+ years Susan left corporate life, combined her love of travel, food and textiles and began sourcing vintage fabrics from the south of France and transforming them into luxe clothing and one-of-a-kind home linens. Her needlework skills were exquisite. She launched ratatouille designs, the textile company she passionately nurtured and operated from her North Vancouver studio for the past 10 years, lovingly shipping each piece locally and around the world.
Whether Susan was at home, sipping early morning coffee and reading newspapers at Bean, in her studio, at a market, spending time in her garden, enjoying lunch on a sunny terrace in Provence, hiking beautiful BC, listening to podcasts or watching the Sunday morning recaps of weekly politics, she was always up for a good discussion and provided an informed view of world events. Her caring nature was evident and she was a constant support for family members and friends. In every conversation you could count on being asked “and how are you?” And when she laughed, she laughed hard.
Susan will be deeply missed by her wide circle of friends cultivated throughout her life and through her many interests. Due to COVID restrictions, there will be not be a gathering at this time, but we will plan for a celebration of Susan’s life in the spring or summer of next year. Until then, please hold your own celebration of her life by raising a glass, recalling a shared moment and enjoying a smile at the memory. She’d like that.
Susan was born and spent her childhood in Pickering, Ontario, moving to Ottawa where she graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts ( History ) degree. She pursued her first career working in technology in Ottawa and Toronto, eventually moving to Vancouver where she jumped into skiing, hiking and embracing the west coast outdoor lifestyle.
After 30+ years Susan left corporate life, combined her love of travel, food and textiles and began sourcing vintage fabrics from the south of France and transforming them into luxe clothing and one-of-a-kind home linens. Her needlework skills were exquisite. She launched ratatouille designs, the textile company she passionately nurtured and operated from her North Vancouver studio for the past 10 years, lovingly shipping each piece locally and around the world.
Whether Susan was at home, sipping early morning coffee and reading newspapers at Bean, in her studio, at a market, spending time in her garden, enjoying lunch on a sunny terrace in Provence, hiking beautiful BC, listening to podcasts or watching the Sunday morning recaps of weekly politics, she was always up for a good discussion and provided an informed view of world events. Her caring nature was evident and she was a constant support for family members and friends. In every conversation you could count on being asked “and how are you?” And when she laughed, she laughed hard.
Susan will be deeply missed by her wide circle of friends cultivated throughout her life and through her many interests. Due to COVID restrictions, there will be not be a gathering at this time, but we will plan for a celebration of Susan’s life in the spring or summer of next year. Until then, please hold your own celebration of her life by raising a glass, recalling a shared moment and enjoying a smile at the memory. She’d like that.