Dear Demijohns,
It was with great sadness that I learned of Sue’s passing on 9th January. I know that some of you attended the gathering today to celebrate Sue’s life, and I was sorry that, with my Headmaster away and me needing to deputise, I was unable to join you.
For anyone of my vintage or earlier, Sue was as much as an integral part of the Demijohns as any playing member, and more so than many of them. I remember her as one of life’s great encouragers, always keen to offer support from the boundary rope and a consoling- yet, crucially, never patronising- word when one traipsed back to the pavilion. Sue was particularly kind to me when I joined the Club in the 1990s as a young graduate, and, by virtue of her impeccable manners, flawless diction- uncommon even by then- and hint of inner steel, she instantly inspired in me a deep respect. It wasn’t long before I was invited to 8, Queen’s Park Gardens to enjoy one of her magnificent home-cooked lunches after two hours of Club Committee ‘business’. It was plain that Karle thought the world of her, as well he might, and I seem to recall one slightly less guarded moment when, touching upon how they met, Sue simply said, “Karle made me laugh”. Together they were the gold thread that ran through the Demijohns for its first 50 years and well beyond that. We owe them both an equal debt of gratitude and shall create a proper occasion to acknowledge this when we play Caterham C.C. at Old Caterhamians on Sunday 30th August at 1330. I hope that, if you can, you will join us.
Rest in peace, Sue.
Yours,
Stuart
(Chairman)