Sue’s Story

To know Sue was to know warmth. She was kind, creative and full of quiet humour, an extraordinary teacher, devoted wife, mum and grandma who gave so much love to the people around her.

Steve first met Sue at college in Leeds in 1969. “Sue was training to teach, just like her mum and sisters before her,” he remembered. “She had this natural kindness about her, people just wanted to be around her.”

They married soon after, with Sue showing her independent spirit by wearing a nightie as her wedding dress, as she’d later joke and set about building a life filled with laughter, music and love. “Our first home cost £550,” Steve said. “Sue’s parents bought it for us as a wedding present. It was tiny, but it was ours.”

Teaching was Sue’s calling. She led choirs, produced school musicals and inspired countless children to find joy in music. She played the trombone and piano with local bands, and filled classrooms and concert halls with her energy and warmth.

Outside the classroom, Sue loved nature, with spring her favourite time of year when the world felt like it was waking up again but most of all, Sue loved the simple beauty of life. She could name wildflowers on walks, grew gardens full of colour, and spent happy hours birdwatching from their summerhouse with a proper cup of tea in hand.

Family was at the heart of everything. Sue adored her grandchildren, making puppets, filming little science experiments, and turning learning into laughter.

When Sue was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and amyloidosis, she faced it with the same calm strength she’d shown all her life. “Although the illness was difficult for her, she never complained,” Steve said. “Only once did she whisper to me that it didn’t seem fair.”

As her health declined, Herriot Hospice helped Sue stay where she most wanted to be, at home, surrounded by love.

Sue gave so much to life and it brought Steve so much comfort to see Herriot supporting Sue at the end of her life with Steve saying “each carer provided a positive impact on Sue and myself. All showed a caring professionalism with their task of caring for Sue and were respectful of her dignity and support for me.”

Reminiscing about Sue, Steve said: “Sue was an attractive, loving, kind, caring, thoughtful and down-to-earth person who always managed to laugh at my ridiculous jokes, even after 50 years….we all loved her.”

Reflecting on his experience of hospice care, Steve said: “The Herriot Homecare assistants arrived on our doorstep everyday without fail, ready to give their support, both physical and emotional to Sue and to myself. They stepped in without fuss or fluster both behind the scenes and at Sue’s bedside, something I will be forever grateful for.”

In loving memory of Sue Raine 26^th April 1951 – 29^th May 2025

Make a donation to support hospice care this Christmas

This Christmas, Herriot Hospice will be providing care to people like Sue, to ensure they can remain at home over the festive season surrounded by the things they love which is made possible thanks to your incredible kindness.

“It’s a real privilege to help families spend Christmas Day together. Even small acts of care make a real difference for patients and their families. Your support will help our team make it possible for more families to share precious time together at home this Christmas.”

Victoria Little, Herriot Healthcare Assistant

Steve and his family will be remembering Sue at the hospice’s Light Up a Life ceremony this year. We hope others will consider joining us to support the appeal in memory of their loved ones too.