Sue Fay Healy — Cherished Matriarch, Visionary Cultural Trailblazer, Devoted Wife, Beloved Mother and Grandmother, Revered Dance Mentor, and Canadian-Irish Heritage Icon — Mourned by the Ottawa Community After Her Peaceful Passing at 67 Surrounded by Family

In a solemn wave of shared sorrow and reverent reflection, the Ottawa community and global Irish dance family have come together to mourn the peaceful passing of Sue Fay Healy, a beloved beacon of cultural preservation and creative spirit, who left an indelible mark on the lives of thousands through her life’s work, artistic passion, and unrelenting community advocacy. At the age of 67, surrounded by her adoring family in the early hours of Sunday, June 8th, Sue transitioned peacefully, her final moments as graceful and dignified as the dance traditions she so lovingly championed for over four decades.

Sue Fay Healy was more than a dance teacher or studio owner; she was the heart and soul of a thriving movement that linked generations of Irish Canadians to their ancestral heritage through the intricate, time-honored steps of Irish dance. As the founder of SFH Irish Dance, Sue cultivated a sanctuary for cultural expression — not merely a school, but a spirited, intergenerational family rooted in tradition, discipline, and joy. Her name has become synonymous with excellence in Irish dance instruction across Canada and beyond, revered not only for the elite caliber of dancers she trained but also for the deep humanity, warmth, and authenticity she brought into every interaction.

Born into a family of Irish lineage, Sue grew up immersed in music, storytelling, and dance — the very lifeblood of her heritage. Her early encounters with Irish dance sparked a lifelong devotion that would eventually blossom into an award-winning, internationally recognized dance academy. But her contributions transcended medals and trophies. She instilled in her students a sense of cultural pride, community responsibility, and personal integrity. Through her leadership, many found confidence, direction, and belonging. Her presence radiated mentorship — quiet yet powerful, nurturing yet disciplined, always uplifting.

Sue’s profound influence rippled far beyond the hardwood floors of her studio. Her advocacy helped raise the profile of Irish dance across Canada, bringing performances to local schools, cultural festivals, national stages, and even international competitions. She worked tirelessly with local arts councils and multicultural groups to ensure that Irish cultural traditions remained vibrant and accessible, never fading into the background of a rapidly modernizing society. Her voice was one of inclusion, education, and bridge-building — welcoming newcomers to the culture while fiercely honoring its roots.

Family, however, was the cornerstone of Sue’s world. A deeply devoted wife, she shared a lifelong partnership of mutual respect and love with her husband, whose steadfast support was integral to the growth of SFH Irish Dance. As a mother, Sue poured her energy into nurturing not only the talents of her children but also their values, spirits, and dreams. As a grandmother, she became a storyteller and memory-keeper, delighting in passing on family traditions through songs, rhymes, and dances performed around the kitchen table. Her home was a gathering place filled with music, laughter, strong tea, and an open door.

Friends, students, and colleagues describe her as a woman of rare grace — a person who could command a room with her presence but always used her voice to uplift others. Her dancers speak of her with reverence and affection, recalling the countless hours she spent guiding them not just through choreography, but through life’s many turning points: academic pressures, personal challenges, identity struggles. She listened without judgment, gave wisdom without expectation, and celebrated victories — no matter how small — with the pride of a mother. For many, Sue was more than an instructor; she was a second mother, a mentor, a confidante, and a friend.

In the days following her passing, tributes have poured in from across Canada and around the world. Alumni from SFH Irish Dance, now scattered across continents, have shared emotional messages, recounting lessons learned and memories cherished. Fellow instructors, some of whom were once her students, credit her with igniting the passion that led them to pursue dance professionally. Cultural leaders have lauded her for preserving and elevating Irish traditions in multicultural Canada, where such efforts are both vital and rare.

One former student, now a professional choreographer, described Sue’s impact simply but poignantly: “She didn’t just teach us to dance. She taught us how to carry ourselves, how to find strength in our history, and how to give back to others. Every time I step on stage, I feel her presence.”

Sue’s legacy is also preserved through her lifelong commitment to mentorship. She formally trained dozens of dancers to become instructors, many of whom now lead their own schools — each carrying forward her philosophy of excellence, kindness, and cultural stewardship. Through these students and their students, Sue’s vision continues to flourish — a living legacy that will grow for generations.

The Ottawa Irish Arts community has announced that a public celebration of Sue’s life and contributions will take place later this month at a local cultural centre, where dancers from every era of SFH Irish Dance will gather to perform in her honor. Plans are also underway for the establishment of a Sue Fay Healy Memorial Scholarship, which will support young dancers who demonstrate exceptional promise and community involvement — the twin pillars of Sue’s teachings.

In addition to her roles within the Irish dance world, Sue was also a key supporter of arts in education, volunteering countless hours in local schools to integrate cultural learning with physical expression. Her work helped launch extracurricular programs in dance for children from diverse backgrounds, always with the aim of creating unity through movement, rhythm, and shared joy.

Her contribution to multiculturalism in Ottawa did not go unnoticed. Over the years, Sue received numerous awards recognizing her dedication to arts, youth mentorship, and community service, including a lifetime achievement commendation from the Irish Canadian Cultural Society and a Civic Cultural Award from the City of Ottawa. Despite these honors, Sue remained characteristically humble, always redirecting praise to her students, her team, and her beloved family.

In private moments, those closest to her speak of Sue’s deep spirituality, her abiding sense of gratitude, and her quiet wisdom. She was known to begin each day with a short walk in her garden, often reflecting on the beauty of nature and the rhythm of the seasons — a rhythm mirrored in the dances she taught, which echoed the turning of time and the continuity of tradition. She found joy in simple things: a child’s laughter, the smell of baking soda bread, the laughter of her grandchildren, the strains of a well-played fiddle.

Though her physical presence is now gone, the spirit of Sue Fay Healy lives vibrantly in every student who dons soft shoes or hard shoes with pride, in every community that celebrates cultural diversity through dance, and in every family that finds connection through shared tradition. Her life’s work stands as a testament to what one person, guided by passion, discipline, and love, can create: a movement, a legacy, a living heartbeat in the cultural life of a nation.

As the Ottawa community unites in both mourning and celebration, there is a palpable sense that Sue’s story is not ending but evolving — carried forward by the countless lives she shaped and inspired. Her final dance may have come to rest, but its rhythm continues — strong, graceful, and eternal.

Rest peacefully, Sue Fay Healy, beloved teacher of tradition, joy, and the dance of life. You will be missed, but never forgotten.