The obituary notice of Susan Margaret CROFT ("Sue")

I had the inestimable privilege of knowing Sue as a campaigner within the health food trade. She wouldn’t thank me for saying she was ‘slightly scary’ but she was, kind of. Her intellect, drive, insight and energy were unsurpassed and occasionally intimidating! Sue was a true force of nature.

Sue reached out to me when I was at my lowest point and welcomed me into her home in Chulmleigh. We ate ready meals, went for drives, watched Strictly, and she would talk about Phillip and Georgie.

Thank you, Sue. I will always, always, remember you for your incredible abilities and your extraordinary kindness to me which contributed to saving my life.

Sue was a dedicated Vice Chairman and Secretary to the Chulmleigh Town Hall Committee. We kept in touch whilst she was isolating and she loved putting the minutes together for us. She would always be there if I needed a poster and was back with it within 24 hours of asking. An elegant lady with her beautiful hats and shoes but quite happy to roll her sleeves up and help generally in the Town Hall.
Steve Sweeney (Chairman) Di Sweeney (Treasurer) and all of the Town Hall Committee.

Sue was the Vice Chairman of Chulmleigh Parish Council, who willingly gave so much of herself to serve the Parish Council and the people of Chulmleigh, especially latterly in connection with the Chulmleigh Volunteers during Covid.

Her dedication, interest, continual efforts, unlimited time and attention to detail will be greatly missed.

From the Chairman, Parish Councillors and Parish Clerk, Chulmleigh Parish Council

Everyone at St Mary Magdalene Church, Chulmleigh was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Sue on 17th July. She was a loyal and devoted member of the church. At the time of her death, she was a Churchwarden and Editor of the monthly Church and Community magazine Cross Reference, a role she had held for many years, never missing an edition. She was a talented flower arranger and provided glorious floral arrangements for church festivals. She was also a tireless fundraiser for the church, each year coming up with creative ideas for events that gave pleasure to many people as well as raising much-needed funds. During the pandemic, whilst she herself was isolating, she was at the forefront of setting up and coordinating the Chulmleigh Community Volunteer Service, recruiting volunteers, and managing hundreds of requests for help with patient transport, prescription deliveries, shopping, dog walking, and telephone support. In recognition of this outstanding contribution to the community, Sue was presented in June 2021 by the Bishop of Exeter with the St Boniface Award.
Sue’s presence with her wonderful hats and outfits will be missed at Sunday worship and her kindness, interest, and generosity will be remembered with love by all who knew her.

Sue was an exceptionally kind and thoughtful lady who did so much for Chulmleigh. She was also a beacon of style and elegance in an otherwise grey world. She brought glamour and energy to Chulmleigh and never complained even when we knew that she was very ill.