Suzanne Bicher Obrand (May 10, 1934 – July 15, 2015) – Born Suzanne Bicher in Brussels, Belgium, Suzanne was a hidden child and Holocaust survivor. The Bichers deeded a home to a Belgium family in 1942, so they could hide in the attic to avoid the Nazis, who were arresting Jews and deporting them to concentration and death camps. Suzanne and her brother Benjamin ended up being placed in Christian orphanages, hoping to eventually reunite with their parents, who remained in the attic. When Belgium was completely liberated by Allied forces in February 1945, their immediate family had survived. They resided in Belgium for three more years before immigrating to Canada in 1948.

Once settled in Canada, Suzanne met and married Mike Obrand, her soul mate. They had two children, Shelley and Daniel. Shortly after Shelley was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at age 8, the family relocated to Florida for a climate more agreeable with Shelley’s illness. Encouraged and supported by Suzanne and Mike, both children went on to great successes. Shelley flourished as an educator and Daniel as a doctor. Suzanne was an integral part of Shelley’s achievements, especially as Shelley’s Muscular Dystrophy progressed. A remarkable mother, Suzanne was at Shelley’s side for 54 years.
Suzanne’s sanctuary was her art studio. She treated painting as a hobby, even though she was a gifted and talented artist. She graduated from Sir George Williams College with a degree from the School of Fine Arts. After college, she worked for Bell Canada as an artist designing and drawing the ads for the yellow pages. Suzanne focused on painting oils throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s. She then took up watercolors and immediately went on to produce outstanding paintings in this media.
Painting numerous watercolors since the 1970’s, Suzanne concentrated on landscapes, still life and flowers. Suzanne remained opposed to selling or exhibiting her art until 2000, when she donated “Toy Boats” to the Muscular Dystrophy Association Ball for auction. A few more paintings were given to Muscular Dystrophy and Autism fundraiser auctions. The artwork was very well received and as a result, Suzanne finally agreed to show her paintings in local exhibitions. Once Suzanne was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, she made the decision to give her art to family, friends and medical professionals who contributed to her and Shelley’s care. The remaining masterpieces are now being sold with the proceeds being donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and select Holocaust organizations.