Susan Forsyth, who was laid to rest in Cooktown on 18 June, is being remembered as an impassioned member of the community who lived life with laughter, curiosity, kindness and a bit of cheekiness. Photo: Supplied.
For someone who was such a natural inspiration and powerhouse, it was only fitting Susan Forsyth was farewelled by her family, friends and the Cooktown community at the venue of the same name on 18 June.
Ms Forsyth, who was born on 31 March 1936 in the Sydney suburb of Willoughby, passed away in Cooktown on 9 June. She was 89 years old.
The daughter of Margaret Henderson Sharp and Leigh William Forsyth, and sister to Roger Leigh Forsyth, Ms Forsyth attended Willoughby State School and Redlands Cremorne Girls Finishing School.
One of her early jobs was at the Bank of New South Wales, and when she was not diligently sorting cheques, she spent her lunchtimes exploring inner city Sydney with her lifetime best friend Anne Murray, who worked as a teller at the bank, daily adventures that helped develop her confidence, independence, love of exploration and passion for people.
From her teenage years, she loved to sail on Pittwater, racing with brother Roger in their little VJ dinghy Kilkie.
It was through the sailing club she met Ronald Toft, who she married in 1956 before raising a large and loving family of seven children – Karen, Sandra, Neil, Jodie, Malin, Petrina and Tanya. Kathy, an exchange student from the United States, became like a daughter to Ms Forsyth and was lovingly welcomed as the family’s eighth child.
At the time of her passing, Ms Forsyth celebrated 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Teila and Chase Hunt.
Although Susan and Ron divorced in 1992, she never remarried and continued to live a life full of meaning and connection. Around the time of her divorce, aged 55, inspired by family in America, she showed great courage and self-determination to go out on a limb to start her own ostrich farm at Cessnock.
Her heart also belonged to the garden and the natural world. In her 60s, she cared for wildlife and completed a Certificate IV in Horticulture, specialising in tropical fruits and organic gardening. Birds and native wildlife captivated her most, and she never tired of the wonders of nature, watching David Attenborough and Gardening Australia.
The late Susan Forsyth (centre), who died in Cooktown earlier this month aged 89, had all the time in the world – and all the smiles – for her family. Photo: Supplied.
Ms Forsyth’s adventurous spirit and deep love of family took her around the world. She travelled extensively, particularly to the United States, where she spent cherished time with her children and grandchildren. A special chapter of her life unfolded in Thailand, where she stayed with local families and was eventually “adopted” by one. Her generosity of spirit led her to return multiple times, and she even taught English at a Bangkok high school.
In 2012, she moved to Cooktown to be closer to family, and enjoy the town’s sense of community and natural beauty. She embraced the Cooktown lifestyle wholeheartedly, becoming a regular at her favourite coffee shops, Nature’s Powerhouse and the Riverside Cafe.
Raised in the Church of England, Ms Forsyth reconnected with her faith after moving to Cooktown and attended the Cooktown Community Church with her granddaughter Jacynta Hunt. Her faith journey, like her life, was heartfelt and open-minded.
Ms Forsyth also had a passion for swimming, which she pursued to a master’s level. She became a valued and inspiring member of the Cooktown Swimming Club, and an integral part of the Cooktown Pool team, where she trained as a volunteer swim teacher and passed on her love of water to many young children. Bi-weekly aqua aerobics classes were an essential part of her social and physical fitness, and she earned the nickname of “The Lifeguard” through entertaining all with her quick wit and strength.
At age 83, she exceeded her personal goal and swam 130 laps of the 25-metre Cooktown Pool, the same year she was a torch bearer for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Ms Forsyth’s love of life extended to music, especially country classics by John Denver, Willie Nelson and Tom Jones, and it was little surprise Graham O’Connor’s A Road Less Travelled became her life song.
Those who knew Ms Forsyth will remember her boundless curiosity, sharp, dry humour, and deep compassion, as well as her remarkable ability to connect with people.
Last week’s commemoration at Nature’s Powerhouse was not about saying goodbye – it was about celebrating a life lived with laughter, curiosity, kindness and a bit of cheekiness.
Ms Forsyth wasn’t just loved, she was unforgettable – a rocket to the moon.
Susan Forsyth beams as she runs her leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay in Cooktown on 5 March 2018 ahead of the opening of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Photo: Supplied.
