Posts tagged radio

Sue Chandler Tribute 1951-2011

(please email tributes to infosaas@ntlworld.com)

COMMUNITY stalwart Sue Chandler has died just weeks after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Sue, aged 59, was diagnosed with the illness in February, and died on April 5^th 20011

Sue had previously been nominated for The Sentinel Our Heroes awards and for a place at Stoke-on-Trent‘s centenary dinner for her charity and volunteer work.

She set up the Special Educational Needs Support Group (SENSG) in 2006 and worked closely with Staffordshire Adults Autistic Society (SAAS), having held the position of secretary and was treasurer for the North Staffordshire Asperger and Autism Association in 2001.

She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Brian, aged 51, grown up children Sharon, Stephen and Andrew and two grandchildren.

In her role with SAAS, she set up workshops and conferences, ran autism awareness events and was a presenter for Autism Radio UK.

Brain Chandler

Sue gave up hours of her time each week to help the groups.Brian said: “Sue would spend hours organising things, doing fund-raising, taking people on trips and organising fairs.”Even when she was diagnosed with cancer, she was still working with SAAS.”Sue’s main passion was helping others. She enjoyed it more than going on holiday.”I will remember her every day. I look at the children and the grandchildren and I see Sue in them.”

Chairman of SAAS Kevin Healey

“Sue spent the last 10 years helping others, making their world a better place.”I have not met many people like her. I have lost a very dear friend and colleague. Nothing was too much trouble; Sue would help anyone at any given time.”Sue has made a huge difference to the lives of hundreds i feel totally numb & gutted that sue as been taken away so quickly, i met sue 10 years ago at the first Autism meeting i set up at the children development centre, since then we became very close friends, we spoke every day, and text each other every day, and now i just have the memories of such a wonderful lady that i will cherish forever & ever until we meet again sue i love you so much xxxxx Kevin”

In December, Kevin presented Sue with an outstanding achievement award for the voluntary sector at the charity’s Christmas gala.

Parents whose lives Sue helped through SENSG have also paid tribute to her.

Karen Knapper,

“Sue was so kind. I didn’t have any family down here and I could just pick up the phone to Sue and she was there.”My son is at sixth form college now and he is doing really well, and that’s down to Sue.”

Jo Burnett

“I was put in touch with Sue five years ago and she helped me and Jack. Sue became like a second mum to me. We became really close.”She was one in a million.

Christine Scrivens

“My thoughts and prayers are with her family who, while we lost a wonderful friend,they have lost their Mother, Grandmother, Wife and Sister and Aunt.”

Jo Meek

“I was intoduced to Sue by a friend of hers who told me that she had been through what I was going through with my Son within ten mins of Lynn giving her my number, she rang me, she was so nice, I suddenly felt no more alone and she invited me to her Sens group on the first group at the Mount. She was so kind and cute I just had to cuddle her, she did so much for our families and pampered us Mums and this loss of Sue is so unfair and heartbreaking I will really miss her Thankyou so much Sue for being in my life you were such a great little lady xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”

Jenni Miller

“I am so very sorry to hear of your loss Kevin, and i send my love to u and all of Susans family. Treasure your memories and Susan will always be with you.x. Carry on with your good work and she will smile down on you and watch over you from above.x.”

Marie Gungor

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Such a lovely lady sadly missed by her family and very close friends RIP xx”

Tom Plimbley

“Sue was a very special, kind, true and selfless individual – i’ve only had the pleasure of working with Sue for 6 months which doesn’t sound a lot but in those 6 months I grew to know a very, very lovely Lady who alwalys put others first even if it was at her expense – TRULY RARE – the world would be a better place with more people like Sue – WE ALL MISS YOU SUE AND YOUR LOVELY SMILE – GOD BLESS – My heartfelt sympathies to the family and to all who knew Sue.”

Joshua Littler

“I will really miss sue it has come to a shock to me when she died I carnt stop crying”

James Meakin

“Sue was such a lovely, caring person who will be sadly missed by a lot of people. R.I.P Sue. Xxx”

Julie Kearns

“Sue was a lovely kind person and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
RIP Julie xx”

Alison Amison

“im so lost for words carnt believe you have gone, you will always be an angel as you were in life you will be in death.xxxx god bless all the family.xxx”

Jennie Murray

“I had only known Sue for a short time but was immediately impressed by her warmth, kindness and care for others. I was looking forward to getting to know her better and still can’t believe that chance has gone. All my thoughts now are with Sue’s family and friends”