Unnamed retirement village to be named after late Ward 83 councillor, Suzanne Clarke
Hoping to honour the memory of the former councillor, her former colleagues proposed that a set of retirement units on Caroline Street, which have been unnamed for years, be named after Suzanne.
The late Ward 83 councillor, Suzanne Clarke, lost her battle with cancer in early 2019, leaving a hole in the community the kind and caring woman once filled.
Hoping to honour the memory of the former councillor, her former colleagues proposed that a set of retirement units on Caroline Street, which have been unnamed for years, be named after Suzanne. Emergency Services had experienced trouble locating the unidentifiable retirement village, so her colleagues proposed that the units be named after Suzanne. The motion to name the village the Suzanne Clarke Retirement Village was passed during a council meeting on 27 October, during the late councillor’s birthday month.
At the time of her passing, Suzanne was happily married to James Clarke, and the couple had raised three beautiful children, one from Suzanne’s previous marriage, one from James’ and one child from their marriage. The family were elated at the news that one of the most important women in their life would be honoured in such a way. “We are honoured that Suzanne’s memory will live on, and that her dedication and love for her work will be remembered,” said James.
James went on to describe the kind of person Suzanne was, saying that she was a humble, loving and straightforward person with the highest moral standards. Her commitment to serving her community saw her going above and beyond what she needed to do every day. “She was a leader who treated others with respect, and with her no-nonsense approach, she gained the respect of others,” said James.
He remembered his late wife lying in ICU, but still more concerned about praying for others and doing her work from her hospital bed.
James said that his late wife will always be remembered as a woman whose passion and drive were to serve and not to be served, living by a motto of mutual respect and accountability.
Suzanne’s successor, current Ward 83 councillor, Florence Roberts, said she had always admired Suzanne’s tireless efforts to help the less fortunate or voiceless residents in the ward, and that the legacy Suzanne left behind continues to inspire her, especially when residents call her and fondly recount their experiences with the ‘happy warrior’.
“It is quite fitting that this particular retirement village, where Suzanne was very active, now bears her name, as she is known for representing the nameless and voiceless in our society,” concluded Florence.
