Tribute: Sue Dunn (1932-2023)

We are sad to report that Sue Dunn passed away peacefully on 28th March following a five-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. She was 90 years old.

Sue was almost “born into” Surbiton Hockey Club. Sue’s father, Dick Turner, was a 1^st XI player (allegedly the best foot stopper in the game – yes it was allowed then - and some would say her son Robert has inherited his ability!) and later Honorary Treasurer.

Dick, Sybil and Sue (their only child) were regular attendees at the Worthing Easter Festival although whether Sue met her husband Geoff at the Worthing Festival or at SHC is uncertain. As many will recall, Geoff himself was a fine hockey player – an exceptionally good centre forward who held his own in a Surbiton 1st XI full of international players. Had he not pursued an illustrious career as one of the first Jumbo Jet pilots with British Airways he almost certainly would have gone on to achieve greater hockey honours.

Remarkably history has repeated itself in the Dunn family with daughter Alison marrying Ian Jolly, a fine player, and a member of the SHC 1^st XI team for many years and more recently Sue’s granddaughter, Nina, marrying Great Britain Hockey Olympian, Matt Daly.

Sue was ever present at SHC. With others they hand sewed the original Strollers banana shirt badges. Sue and Geoff were regular Strollers Tourists at Worthing, where Sue was “The Black Widow” at the Worthing Dinner, and then in Holland. On several occasions Robert, Alison and Malcolm were also part of the same touring party. She did a lengthy stint as a tea lady as part of a rota of wives and girlfriends. In March 1992 Sue was one of six to become SHC’s first Lady Vice Presidents in recognition of their support of the Club over so many years.

She was a keen tennis player until her late 70s, a regular supporter of SHC and an avid follower of the England Cricket Team and the Tour de France.

Away from the Club, Sue was a volunteer at Surrey PHAB, Chair of Holmbury St Mary WI, Church Flowers, and Girl Guides District Commissioner.

A legendary cook, and seamstress, dog lover, and gardener. Sue loved foreign travel, and she and Geoff continued to enjoy regular trips to Africa, Canada, and France well into their 80s.

Sue is survived by her three children, Robert, Alison, and Malcolm, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

The funeral will be on Wednesday 26th April at 3.45pm at Guildford Crematorium, New Pond Road, Godalming GU7 3DB. (Directions here)

Family flowers only, but donations to the Alzheimer's Society