SUE LEE OH
She was a beautiful baby and she remained a beautiful person all her life. We had a happy, if somewhat frugal, childhood as a result of which Sue had never been interested in anything materialistic and remained modest and unassuming.
On leaving school, Sue worked at the BBC in a secretarial capacity before training as a Montessori teacher, always having a special affinity with kids. In more recent years, she worked in the Bournemouth Shul office, a job she loved for many years, under the great guidance of Rosamunde. She also fitted in a spell as the Complaints Officer for Parrs (the confectionery company owned by Nigel and his family). This was indeed entertaining for all of us as she told us about some of the more far-fetched complaints and her often very tongue in cheek responses.
In 1977, Sue married Nigel - just a few days short of her 21st birthday, moving to Bournemouth - leaving her family in London. They were married for almost 45 years. Sue and Nigel's marriage produced their two very adored daughters, Michelle and Cara, who were truly devoted daughters who gave her much joy. Her pride in them was amplified by the arrival of her four grandchildren Harris, Hattie, Emilia and Lily. She was and always will be, their Grandma Shoo Shoo.
Many of her ways and our family traditions will live on in Michelle and Cara and will be passed to her grandchildren. Her memory and presence will be a big part of their lives.
Sue loved her family with a passion. She was a superb daughter in law to Nigel's parents, Hilda and Jack, especially to Hilda after Jack's passing.
She also had a wonderful relationship with both her sons in law - Mujo and Nick.
Sue was the most giving person you could ever meet. She loved to send cards to everyone she knew, never forgetting anyone's birthday or special occasion. Sue sent presents galore too. She was always concerned about people who were ill - not really realising that she was in a worse shape than them.
Sue - always a giver far more than a taker.
Sue had the best sense of humour. She saw the funny side to everything and preferred it to have a naughty twist or a double entendre. She found humour wherever she could and despite the terrible years she had to endure, I associate her with laughter and fun. She loved a naughty joke or a slightly risque? telly programme and found it even funnier if others disapproved.
Sue was loyal, kind, generous, honest and what you saw is what you got. She was totally sincere. She was talented too - a great cook and an even better artist. Sadly, ill health meant that she didn't have the energy to carry on with her art but she managed to gain an A level in art as a mature student.
I don't want to focus on Sue's terrible years of ill health as they don't define her. Just to say that she faced each new challenge head on and with incredible bravery and humour.
She loved life. She loved parties and dancing, 60s concerts, going on cruises, walking by the sea in Bournemouth with Nigel, weekends away, cooking, and having fun. We had an annual routine where every year at Chanukah/Xmas time, she would make little biscuits called kipferl and a German cake called stollen. She made these every single year - and even when ill, forced herself to make them.
I will miss our constant texts and phone calls, her concern about me like no one else and the fact that The Meyer girls, as she used to refer to us, are no more.. She leaves a huge Sue shaped hole in my life and in the lives of Nigel and her children which will never be filled.
JACKIE COHEN
SUE LEE, MY WORK COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND Sue was my secretarial assistant in the Shul Office for several years. She always took pride in her work and was always meticulous in whatever she typed, be it the weekly Yahrzeit lists and Hebrew names from the big red books before all went computerised, to the many letters of Mazal Tov on special birthdays and anniversaries and letters of condolence. She also typed up articles for the Ruach Magazine, deciphering the handwriting of contributors.
Sue was very friendly and outgoing and she loved talking to any children who visited the Shul. She also enjoyed talking to the children in the then Yavneh Kindergarten. She more recently became a very proud Grandmother.
Despite her own health problems Sue was very caring and compassionate towards other members of the Community who had problems.
She was a wonderful daughter in law to the late Hilda and Jack Lee, shopping and cooking for them as well as entertaining them for Friday night dinner and Yom Tov meals.
Sue was a great cook and hostess and always enjoyed making the traditional foods for all the Yom Tovim.
Whenever she and Nigel went on holiday Sue would bring me a thoughtful gift from wherever they had visited and which I still have.
When I left the Shul office we kept in touch, speaking often and texting.
When I was discharged from hospital 4 years ago Sue would visit me bringing her delicious soups.
During the last few years Sue bore her illness with great courage and was so brave. Sue was such a kind and generous lady with a fabulous sense of humour.
I will miss our Whats App chats and also birthday and anniversary cards which we sent each other every year.
Rosamunde Bloom
