Susan Bolan
Susan Jean Bolan (née Steinburgh) of North Bay passed away suddenly but peacefully after a brief battle with cancer on Saturday, October 13, 2025, in Ottawa, Ontario. She was 76 years old.
Born in London, Ontario, Susan—known affectionately as Sue—was one of five children raised by their mother, Helen, following the untimely passing of their father when Sue was just two years old. After several years in the London area, the family moved north to Tilden Lake, where Helen taught in a one-room schoolhouse.
In time, the family settled in North Bay, where Sue attended local schools and graduated from Widdifield Secondary School. There she excelled both academically and athletically, particularly in track and field. Those formative years in the North left an indelible mark, and Sue carried a deep affection for the region throughout her life.
Following in her sisters’ footsteps, Sue earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto. While her sisters Nora and Jane ventured abroad to teach in Africa, Sue pursued a career in journalism—first as a reporter with the North Bay Nugget and later as an editor at the Kitchener-Waterloo Record.
Curious and adventurous, Sue had an insatiable desire to see the world. In her twenties, she travelled extensively across Europe and Africa, often hitchhiking with little more than her notebook and her conviction that words could solve nearly any problem. Whether she lacked the right currency or visa, she somehow always found her way through—her quick wit and quiet determination rarely failed her.
It was during her time as a courtroom reporter that Sue met her lifelong partner and best friend, Justice Michael Bolan (1933–2016). They married in 1978 and shared nearly four decades together—a partnership marked by travel, spirited conversation, and a shared love of art, history, and good food. Their favourite journeys took them through the battlefields of France, retracing the footsteps of Mike’s father and the Algonquin Regiment during the Second World War.
Sue’s admiration for Canada’s military community grew into a lifelong commitment. She became a passionate, behind-the-scenes advocate for servicewomen and women veterans, frequently attending House and Senate committee hearings when her daughter testified and engaging in local political efforts to promote equity and recognition of women within the Canadian Armed Forces.
A lifelong learner and voracious reader, Sue’s intellect and curiosity made for lively conversation. She could debate politics or literature with equal insight and humour. Her sharp wit—often dark but always clever—was matched by her generosity, warmth, and legendary talent in the kitchen. Family and friends will long remember her epic pies along with her efforts to create the long, lively meals that brought everyone together for holidays.
Sue is lovingly remembered by her children, Christine (Maj. Charles Wood) and John (Laura Keranen); her stepchildren Cathy Bolan (Peter Laurie), Michael Bolan, Gordon Bolan (Jenny Young), and Bryan Bolan; and her 14 grandchildren: Sierra and Brianna Bolan; David and Justin Laurie; Emily, Stephanie, Peyton, Abigail, Mackenzie, and Avery Bolan; Henry and Alberta Bolan; and Jillian and Evan Wood.
A visitation will be held at McGuinty Funeral Home in North Bay on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., to be immediately followed by a celebration of Susan’s life at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sue’s memory made to the International Red Cross would be gratefully acknowledged by her family. Online condolences can be made at www.mcguintyfuneralhome.com
