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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Susan Lafferty will be remembered by her family and friends but also by legions of schoolchildren whom she taught how to make bannock.

Lafferty, 65, died at her home in Fort Simpson on Jan. 28. There was standing room only in the Bompas elementary school gym as Lafferty's life was celebrated during a service held on Feb. 6.

Susan Lafferty's life was celebrated at a service that filled the gym at Bompas elementary school on Feb. 6. photo courtesy of Troy Browning

One memory that will endure is the love that Lafferty had for her family, said Troy Bradbury, her son-in-law who delivered the eulogy.

"Susan was always there when she was needed even if it was just for a hug," he said.

Lafferty was born on June 2, 1943 at Browning's Landing to Jack and Eva Browning. She was one of 11 children in the family.

At Browning's Landing, where the Mackenzie River and Trout River meet, the family had a lumber mill and also a farm where they produced beef, potatoes and carrots to sell to stores.

"Susan often talked about how nice it was living along the Mackenzie," said Bradbury.

Lafferty spent her early years at Browning's Landing and Spence Creek. Later, while working as a waitress at the old Fort Simpson hotel Lafferty, then 22, met Morris Lafferty. The two were married on Dec. 17, 1965 at the Sacred Heart Church.

The couple had three daughters, Zina, Gloria and Marcie, and also looked after many foster children.

"Her family was first," Bradbury said.

"She filled her house with love. It was a safe, warm place to be."

Her children said they will miss Lafferty's smile, her patience and her cooking including her rolls, pancakes and "bannock with love in it," said Bradbury.

Lafferty loved music, bingo and coffee shop "scratchies" - scratch and win lottery cards.

She was also a devoted educator.

Lafferty's teaching career spanned 24 years until she retired in 2003. She started at Bompas elementary school as a teacher's assistant and then became a special education assistant. She was able to reach many children and help them go on to have productive lives, said Bradbury.

One of Lafferty's favourite teaching duties was going across the Mackenzie River for the school's culture camps. Lafferty taught students how to make bannock and cook it on sticks over a fire. She also cooked any fish they caught and kept a supply of hot tea ready.

"Even after she retired from Bompas the spring and summer culture camps were things she looked forward to attending," Bradbury said.

Lafferty willingly passed on many skills to the students at the culture camps, said Kelley Andrews-Klein, the acting principal at Bompas.

"Her contributions will never be forgotten," Andrews-Klein said.

"As we participate in spring and fall camps we will remember and miss her and forever feel her presence."

The current students at Bompas paid tribute to Lafferty.

Students in every grade made cards and artwork thanking Lafferty for her help at the culture camps. The artwork, most of which showed scenes of people cooking bannock over fires, was displayed on the back wall of the gym during the funeral service.

Lafferty is survived by her husband Morris, her three daughters, her seven grandchildren and her sisters Sally McLeod and Lucy Browning and brothers Charles, Earl and Robert Browning.