Susan McMaster

Sue passed away peacefully at home at the age of 63, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with ALS. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Colleen Townley; mother, Helen Johnson; sister, Janet McMaster (Tom Byttynen); and her beloved cats, Stella and Tazo. She was predeceased by her father, Denis McMaster. Sue had many lifelong friendships that will be remembered by all.

Sue was born in Calgary and grew up in Wildwood. She graduated from Mount Royal College with a Journalism Diploma in 1980. This was followed by subsequent studies in the Bachelor of Arts program at the University of Calgary. She took great pride in continuing her relationship with the University of Calgary by teaching Media Relations and Corporate Event Planning courses in their Continuing Education Program from 2010-2015.

Sue started her company, Quest Communications, in 1993, and ran it for nearly thirty years. She partnered with a variety of other companies and organizations to provide strategic communications planning, marketing, media relations and special events management. She was Executive Director of the ASTech Foundation from 2013-2021 and enjoyed supporting the advancement of science and innovation in the province of Alberta. She was also a board member and was actively involved with Calgary Immigrant Services from 2015-2019. For the last part of her working life, Sue focused her energies as Executive Director, Operations with Global Philanthropic Inc. Sue was instrumental in developing and managing Global’s marketing and operations for over four years, while making a significant impact to numerous nonprofit organizations across the country. Always willing to share her knowledge and insight, Sue mentored several colleagues, and treasured the relationships and many friendships she made along the way.

Two of Sue’s greatest passions were music and travel. She enjoyed music from several different genres (especially big band and jazz) and attended many live music performances over the years in a variety of settings. She especially treasured her involvement with the Second Chants Choir and loved singing and dancing with her choir community for many years. Sue travelled extensively throughout her life, and her favourite spots were Italy, Greece, Hawaii, and Vancouver Island. Her other special travel memories included the cruises that she did with her mom and daughter to Alaska, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

It was Sue’s decision to donate her body to the University of Calgary for medical education and research. The University was grateful to receive this donation, and they have advised the family that she will spend the next years teaching future physicians and health care professionals about the anatomy of ALS. This donation will impact all the students that learn about ALS from her and will better equip them to care for their future ALS patients. Sue leaves an exceptional legacy by making this donation. The family would like to thank the many friends and caregivers who supported Sue, particularly in recent years. A memorial will be held at a later date.

The support that Sue received from the ALS Society of Alberta was truly amazing, and their Equipment Loan Program allowed Sue to remain in her own home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Sue’s memory be made to the ALS Society of Alberta, 7874 – 10th Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8W1, www.alsab.ca