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On 14th September the funeral took place of Sue Palmer, to a packed church of approaching 300 relatives and friends. The Eulogy delivered at the funeral service is reproduced below. Susan Patricia Masters was born in Lewisham on 11th July, 1959, only daughter to Pat & Don, and sister to her older brother, Steve. She was born 6 weeks premature, a little mite of a thing, but thrived. She had a happy childhood, and attended St Barts Church School, Sydenham. Around the age of 7, she requested a piano, but her wish couldn’t be granted. However, it was not too long before she was given a small Bontempi Organ for Christmas, and from then on, it was her one big interest. Don helped her to learn the simple songs, and she mastered it extremely well. Sue’s secondary education was at Sydenham Girls School, and aged 12, she was asked to play the piano accordion in a school concert in celebration of a teacher’s retirement. Again, Don taught her to play the piano accordion which he owned, and despite its weight, she managed to drag it to school. Her first song was a great success, and she got a standing ovation, and was asked to play again. After finishing school Sue worked in the Midland Bank, and after saving every penny she could, bought herself a re-conditioned Piano. She also went to Goldsmith’s College in London to learn music theory, and within 2 years of studying attained grade 8. Not satisfied with that, Sue taught herself to play the clarinet as well. Sue moved to the Isle of Wight in 1982 with her parents and later on decided to take an Open University Degree in Music, still holding down a full-time job. She also joined The Sandown & Shanklin military band, and regularly performed at their concerts. She continued to have piano lessons, together with lessons for the clarinet. Her teacher at the time indicated that she would make a good teacher. It was whilst working at the Midland bank that Sue met my wife (who is also Sue) who played the role of matchmaker, bringing together Sue and David for the first time. After a first date racked with nerves (on David’s part not Sue’s) the relationship flourished and it was clear they were meant to be. Sue and David were married in All Saints, Ryde on 31st October, 1987, and spent their honeymoon in Majorca. It would be another 2 years before Sue started teaching, and her first pupil would be from the badminton club David played at. On 15th May, 1990 Rachel was born, and Sue was overjoyed at becoming a mother and then took a year out of studying. In 1992, she was awarded a BA (Hons) in music. By now, she had given up working for the Midland Bank, and with hard work and graft, had a small pupil base. In 1993, the family moved to Pump Lane, Horndean and gradually kitted out the “music room”. She attracted a large number of young children, teaching them the basics of music, and at least two of those pupils have gone on to study music at university, as a direct result of these lessons. In 1992, Sue took over the role of organist at St Edmonds church, Horndean, and alternated her Sundays between them and St Wilfrid’s church Cowplain, where she regularly worshipped. She also organised many concerts where her pupils would perform, with monies raised going to various charities. She remained Organist at St Edmonds for 5 years. In 1994, the family started to attend St George’s church, Waterlooville. Soon after Sue joined the choir, and regularly sang with them each Sunday, and on special services. Daniel was born in 2000 making their family complete so Sue took some time out of teaching to be with him. Always busy with church and music even when she returned to teaching, Sue always found time to be a brilliant mother and was always caring and committed to her family and friends. On her birthday in 2005, Sue was given the devastating news that she had breast cancer. Obviously this was a great shock to family and friends, but throughout her illness Sue was an inspiration to us all for coping in such a positive way. The next year, a big all day party was arranged for her when over 100 people came to celebrate her birthday and the news that she was in remission. In 2006, Sue, always generous with her time, formed St George’s Church band which played at the family Eucharists. She would spend many an hour on her laptop arranging different hymns, together with pieces of music for the band to play at the end of each service. She also performed in the inaugural Waterlooville Music Festival that year, and in every subsequent festival, which included a lunchtime organ recital, an organ workshop for young children, and duets with Rachel, and her brother Steve. Despite regular check-ups, Sue was recently diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in August, and sadly passed away, peacefully on 28th August. She was in the throes of arranging another concert on 21st September to raise funds to send people to Lourdes, where the family went last year on a pilgrimage. Rachel is now taking over the role, and the concert will go ahead, starting at 7.00pm Sunday 21st September, at St George’s church. Later on, the family will be arranging a memorial concert for Sue to be held at St George’s church, where all her past pupils will be invited to perform. So to conclude I will read the words to the song played at the start of this Eulogy, which, let’s face it, was Sue all over. “Music was my first love, Philip Palmer • the concert on 21st September was a great success and raised £615. |
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