Sukhoo Sukhoo fashion models pose with designer Frank Sukhoo, Irish ambassador John Concannon, and his wife Mary Concannon, who served as one of the models, at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the ambassador's official residence in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Community spirit shines at Cornerstone Housing for Women garden party held at Irish ambassador’s home
Only at the garden party for Cornerstone Housing for Women do the flowers risk being upstaged, forced to compete for attention with a dazzling fashion show presented by legendary local couturier Frank Sukhoo.
The popular fundraiser — which sold out this year faster than ants find a peony — was held at the official residence of Irish Ambassador John Concannon and his wife Mary Concannon in Rockcliffe Park on Sunday afternoon. They very graciously welcomed some 300 attendees.
Mary pulled double duty by providing the venue while also modelling in a show that included Mayor Mark Sutcliffe’s wife, Ginny Sutcliffe, Ottawa jazz singer Deborah Davis, who performed later with her fellow artists, and Equality Fund CFO Carol Devenny. She modelled the beautiful blue dress she wore for her son’s magical wedding in Malta.
There were 35 outfits showcased in all, with a team of hairstylists, makeup artists and other volunteers working hard in the finished basement to get the models runway-ready. Sukhoo designed a satiny, flowy little number in the colours of the Irish flag, worn by AMTI Ottawa model Funa Anomneze. It included a sparkly shamrock.
The threat of Irish sunshine — also known as rain — kept much of the festivities indoors. This only added to the homey feel, especially once the crowd started singing along to the fashion show music, specifically The Temptations’ My Girl.
The fundraiser, presented by the Preston Branch of RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities, included the announcement of an $8,000 gift from RBC.
Long-time Cornerstone supporter Thyme & Again Creative Catering, owned by Sheila Whyte, was the food sponsor, while Big Rig Brewery, Cave Springs and The Vine Agency supplied the drinks.
From left, Sukhoo Sukhoo models Carol Devenny and Mary Concannon, Irish Ambassador John Concannon and Frank Sukhoo, owner/designer at Sukhoo Sukhoo, pose outside the ambassador’s official residence during A Taste of Ireland Garden Party in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, RBC’s Yasser Ghazi, Janet McKeage, Mila Starodoub, Cornerstone Housing for Women’s Christopher O’Gorman, RBC’s Megan Christensen, Lara Meadows and Paul Boissoneault present a gift of $8,000 to Cornerstone at its A Taste of Ireland Garden Party, presented by RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities and held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, attendees Julie Beun (CAA North & East Ontario) and Janet Wilson (Export Development Canada, founding editor of LUXE Magazine) with Sheila Whyte, owner of Thyme & Again Creative Catering, at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador, in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
AMTI Ottawa model Funa Anomneze in a special Sukhoo Sukhoo outfit created for A Taste of Ireland Garden Party, held Sunday, June 1, 2025 at the official residence of the Irish ambassador in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
A Taste of Ireland garden party in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women featured a Sukhoo Sukhoo fashion show with glamorous models. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Mark Holzman, board chair of Cornerstone, announced at the event that Anne Marie Hopkins, director of operations at Ottawa Inner City Health, has been hired as Cornerstone’s new executive director. She starts next week.
Cornerstone, a community ministry of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, is dedicated to supporting women and gender-diverse individuals facing homelessness or housing insecurity. It provides emergency shelter for up to 160 individuals each night and supportive housing for another 150, as well as a range of health, harm reduction, social and cultural programs.
Cornerstone volunteer extraordinaire Joseph Cull returned as emcee, draped in the Irish flag on his front and showcasing his Canadian pride on his back. The ambassador had only the warmest things to say about the Cull, comparing his effervescent spirit to the old Irish proverb: A light heart lives long.
Cull and Sukhoo have long since been the heart and soul of the Cornerstone Housing for Women garden party.
From left, Irish Ambassador John Concannon, A taste of Ireland Garden Party emcee Joseph Cull, and Mary Concannon, who also modelled in the Sukhoo Sukhoo fashion show that was a highlight of the fundraiser for Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Madeleine Cormier, owner of Chapeaux de Madeleine, at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador, in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Katie Faught, Anna Rumin and Andrea Laurin, founders and lead volunteer organizers of the Boutique Cornerstone that raises thousands each year for Cornerstone Housing for Women, at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador and in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Mark Holzman, board chair of Cornerstone Housing for Women, introduced the new executive director, Anne Marie Hopkins (left). Photo by Caroline Phillips
A Taste of Ireland Garden Party, held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador, was held Sunday, June 1, 2025, in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women and featured a fashion show by Sukhoo Sukhoo. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From sponsor Edelman Advisory Group: Graham Richardson, Julie Beetham, Katrina Draper (who’s on the board of Cornerstone Housing for Women), Sydney Linholm and Victoria Jordan at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Michele Hayman, vice president of heritage with the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association, and Sarah Baxter, volunteer co-chair of Dining with the Ambassadors, at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador and in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa jazz singer Deborah Davis modelled in the Sukhoo Sukhoo fashion show during A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Concannon delivered thoughtful and inspiring remarks on the community’s support for Cornerstone, sharing that the old Irish word meitheal captures the spirit of neighbours working together and helping one another.
He also touched on the Irish people’s own history of hardship and resilience, particularly with its Great Famine nearly two centuries ago. “So, it’s no surprise that we want to be part of an event like this to help others find shelter, to help them reclaim their voice.
“Canada has always been a beacon of light for Ireland and, in our darkest hour, when we were really suffering, it was Canada that was there for us, Canada that looked after us, and we will never ever forget that.”
The community support for Cornerstone “exemplifies the very best” of Ottawa, he continued. “And, indeed, Canada, because it brings us together for a shared purpose. It helps lift everyone up, it helps build an inclusive community.
“It’s all about generosity and dignity and hope. These aren’t just Canadian values; these are Irish values. And both countries — Ireland and Canada — share a sense of fairness, a sense of the power of community, and the idea that we are ultimately defined by how we look after the most vulnerable. And Ottawa, today, you’re looking after the most vulnerable.”
His remarks were followed by a reading of a John O’Donohue poem/blessing done by Mary before she headed downstairs for a quick outfit change. She had a fashion show to shine for, after all.
Irish Ambassador John Concannon and his wife, Mary Concannon, in the audience during the welcoming remarks at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the ambassador in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ginny Sutcliffe modelled in the Sukhoo Sukhoo fashion show during A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Ottawa Heart Institute cardiologist Dr. Luc Beauchesne, Cornerstone Housing for Women board vice chair Yasmin Khaliq (clinical research affiliate at Bruyère Research Institute) Connie Allen and Mark Holzman, board chair of Cornerstone Housing for Women, at the A Taste of Ireland Garden Party. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Irish Ambassador John Concannon A Taste of Ireland Garden Party, held at the official residence of the ambassador on June 1, 2025, in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
A Taste of Ireland Garden Party, held at the official residence of the Irish Ambassador, was held Sunday, June 1, 2025, in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women and featured a fashion show by Sukhoo Sukhoo. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Cornerstone Housing for Women fundraising manager Emma Konrad and Christopher O’Gorman, acting director of development and communications, at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Luxury home realtors Reba Wilson, left, and her mother Marilyn Wilson from Marilyn Wilson DREAM PROPERTIES ® Christie’s International Real Estate, and diplomat spouse Mary Concannon, who greeted guests before changing into a Sukhoo Sukhoo dress to model in the fashion show at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
A Taste of Ireland Garden Party, held at the official residence of the Irish Ambassador, was held Sunday, June 1, 2025, in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women and featured a fashion show by Sukhoo Sukhoo. Photo by Caroline Phillips
PJ Hobbs, director general of community ministries with the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, and Diane Kroeker at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Ursula Gobel, Karen Best and Mary O’Keefe, wearing a fancy peacock fascinator from Chapeaux de Madeleine, at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador, in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Susan St. Amand, president and CEO of The Sirius Group, and Janet McKeage, senior investment counsellor at RBC PH&N Investment Counsel, at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador, in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Kathleen Faulkner made a bold choice as she tried on one of the hats available from Chapeaux de Madeleine at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador, in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Mark Holzman, board chair of Cornerstone Housing for Women, with his wife, Debbie, at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party, held in support of Cornerstone. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Grace Pocius, Taj Matthews (uOttawa Masters student in cellular and molecular medicine) joined by his mother, Nila Matthews, a home realtor with Royal LePage Performance, at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador, in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Kate Jackson, director of finance and administration at Cornerstone Housing for Women, and Ottawa city councillor Theresa Kavanagh, board chair of Ottawa Community Housing (and with strong Irish roots) at A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador, in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Frank Sukhoo, owner/designer behind Sukhoo Sukhoo, and Cornerstone Housing for Women volunteer Joseph Cull are the heart and soul behind A Taste of Ireland Garden Party, which returned to the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Sunday, June 1. 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
A behind-the-scenes look of models, including Mary Concannon, getting their makeup done before participating in the Sukhoo Sukhoo fashion show during A Taste of Ireland Garden Party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Irish Ambassador John Concannon and his wife, Mary Concannon (who modelled in the Sukhoo Sukhoo fashion show), AMTI Ottawa model Funa Anomneze, and fashion designer Frank Sukhoo, outside the front entrance to the ambassador’s home during A Taste of Ireland Garden Party in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. Photo by Caroline Phillips
This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP and Brazeau Seller Law.
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