2nd May 1951 - 16th June 2012 Extract from Perthshire Advertiser. Jun 22 2012 by Denis Brown, Perthshire Advertiser Friday After being diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in March 2009 and given a slim chance of survival, the dynamic Scone woman – who taught at Kilgraston School for 30 years – vowed to defeat the disease. Always positive, she underwent various surgeries and non-stop chemotherapy in a campaign that saw her treated in Glasgow, Aberdeen and London and as far away as Brazil. Susan never let what she was going through impact on her daily life, adopting new hobbies, jetting off to Majorca with her grandkids and even organising a major Perth fundraiser. Well-known at charity fashion shows, she encouraged her pupils to support cancer research via Race for Life involvement, with her crowning event, the 2010 Walk with Me at Scone Palace. Over 400 participants helped raise £18,000-plus to buy two twin ‘Cool Caps’ for Perth’s new oncology day centre. “The organisation for such an event is huge but such was her determination, and even though she was undergoing chemotherapy, she went ahead and produced a day to remember,” recalled Susan’s husband Martin. At the time, Susan – who used a similar cap to retain her own hair, and dignity, when receiving treatment at Ninewells – told the PA she was ecstatic about the result. “This means four people will be able to access this treatment daily in Perth,” she said. “The support we have had for this fund has been amazing and it clearly shows how important people regard this piece of equipment.” But having taken her battle against cancer right up to the wire, the brave 61-year-old finally succumbed on Saturday at the Cornhill Macmillan Centre at PRI, slipping away peacefully in her sleep. Only the previous day, Susan had enjoyed a visit home to Scone, where she spent quality time with Martin and their youngest daughter Pauline Rhodes. “She was a very caring, thoughtful, loving, kind and patient person – she gave love, and was loved by everyone who knew her,” said eldest daughter Jenny Finch. Pauline added: “Her smile, beautiful spirit and wonderful nature will be greatly missed.” A keen gardener who was equally happy walking her dog in the woods as she was globetrotting, particularly to the Caribbean, Susan was well known locally. In fact, her keep-fit classes proved so popular that they endured for over 25 years at the Wheel Inn in Scone, the Dewars Perth plant and in Methven. Born Susan Elizabeth Dow on May 2, 1951, she had two sisters, Francis and Christine, and grew up in Fairies Road and attended nearby Perth Academy, later graduating in PE at Dunfermline College of Physical Education. Susan married Martin in 1972 – the couple were due to celebrate their ruby anniversary in October – and had two daughters, Jennifer and Pauline, and later grandchildren Ben, Abigail and Francesca. Initially teaching at Perth High School in 1972, she then joined Kilgraston School where she spent three decades and was instrumental in developing outstanding sporting facilities. Yesterday, Kilgraston principal Michael Farmer recounted a highly driven Susan’s rapid rise to become PE department head 30 years ago and how she was admired by every pupil. An accomplished sportswoman, she represented Scotland’s B hockey team and always proved a formidable opponent for Kinnoull Tennis Club, where she served as team captain. “Susan influenced girls of all abilities to be themselves and do their very best and she will be remembered with fond memories by so many at the school and beyond,” he said. “She campaigned for a long time to achieve her dream of having a games hall, swimming pool and hockey astro pitch and all of this was finally realised as she cut the blue ribbon and scored the first goal on the hockey pitch to the delight of the rest of the school in summer 2010.’’ Susan’s funeral service is on Wednesday in Kilgraston School Chapel at 11.30am, with family and friends welcome, followed by a private family cremation. The family request no flowers, but will accept donations in memory of Susan for Ovarian Cancer Action Research.