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.