Suzanne Maree Smith was born on Saturday 16 April 1949, the day before Easter, in Ringwood, Melbourne to parents Hector and Marie Smith.
She spent the first 12 months of her life living on a prison farm, near Templestowe, before moving to Portarlington at the age one.
It was here, the family - including her brothers Phlilip and Rodney, and her sister Kaye - would spend most of their happy early years.
Sue went to Portarlington Primary with a year stint at Templestowe Primary, before attending Matthew Flinders Girls School in Geelong for High School.
Sue came from a hard working family. She was more interested in leaving school as soon as she could to get a job than staying on to finish Year 12.
Before marrying Paul Hutchinson in 1968, Sue worked in a clothing factory in Geelong.
Newly married, Sue and Paul moved to Canberra due to Paul’s work where Sue immediately got a job at Woolworths in Civic where she worked until Sharyn was born in 1971.
In 1973 Kim was born, followed by Jen in 1979.
Sue’s three girls were her world.
If you knew Sharyn or Kim or Jen, then you knew Sue. As the girls worked their way through Wanniassa Hills Primary School and then Wanissa High School, there was Sue, getting involved, volunteering, always rolling up her sleeves to help out.
Sue went so far as to secure a bus licence so she could help ferry around hoards of kids to Netball, Touch and Volleyball games. Passing the bus driving test was no mean feat. One of requirements was that Sue had to back the bus down Black Mountain.
If you got hurt or were in trouble or needed help, Sue would be there. Doing what she could, never wanting anything in return, often without having to be asked.
Sue was a fabulous mix of caring and competitive. Sue would stand on the sidelines of many games with her fist in the air, yelling her heart, urging her girls and everyone else on.
Sue loved sports.
She was a gifted 10 Pin Bowler, winning several awards before she broke her toe, forcing her to turn her attention to Netball, Touch Football and Volleyball.
As much as she loved to play, she also loved to watch and was an avid follower of tennis and cricket. And then of course, there’s her long standing obsessive love for AFL, especially the Collingwood Football Club.
Sue liked team sports, because Sue liked people. I think she enjoyed drinking Sherry in the carpark of Wanniassa High School after the game with the bunch of friends she played with more than volleyball itself. Her Sherry technique was certainly better than her volleyball technique.
It was the experience of adversity in her life that revealed Sue’s courage and grit.
After her divorce from Paul, Sue fought for everything she had. Working her way through the ranks of the Department of Education in various roles over 25 years - from Wanniassa High School to Erindale Colleges Student Services, to the Department’s Ministerial Support Area, to working at INTACT, the ACT IT HelpDesk Doing budgets and spreadsheets.
It was with the same courage and grit that Sue faced her first Breast Cancer diagnosis in 1995.
But even in the midst of her own challenges, Sue kept reaching out, caring for others, loving her community as a volunteer at Floriade and the Sydney Olympics where Sue drove the Head of the Sydney Olympics, Sandy Holloway around for a month.
In 2010, Sue retraced her steps back southward, and retired to Melbourne.
In classic Sue style, retirement was just an opportunity to give more of her time to the things she loved most.
First and foremost her five Grandchildren - Maisy, Archie, Charlotte, Vivienne, and Celia - in whom she delighted. Giving them all the treats their parents wouldn’t keep in the house. Knitting for them. Being diligent in developing a unique and special relationship with each one.
Retirement also allowed Sue to volunteer her heart out. Which she did, with the Breast Cancer Network. Both in fundraising efforts standing in supermarkets selling badges and big events at the MCG. And also in the unseen work of supporting women after their initial diagnosis.
Sue also joined the City of Melbourne volunteer program, being part of a team that provided support for anyone coming into the CBD. Sue would stand on street corners in her red jacket, or in the Information booth on Bourke Street, or go down to the docks at Port Melbourne at 6am in the morning and welcome the latest Cruise Ship. Helping the disembarking passengers to get MYKI cards. And dispensing local wisdom - like you’re unlikely to catch cod fish off the Pier in St Kilda. And if you’ve only got a few hours before you need to be back on the Boat, a trip to the 12 Apostles might need to wait.
On her passing, Sue’s service to the City of Melbourne was recognised with a lovely tribute from The Lord Mayor, and others in the Herald Sun.
In so many ways, over so many years, Sue made time and space in her life for people. If Sue asked you how you were, she was one of those rare people who actually stood to listen to the answer.
In the midst of her own struggles, despite the challenges of her own health, Sue doggedy, and courageously showed up in the world and in our lives to help and to care.
She cared for strangers and fellow travellers.
She delighted in her friends.
She loved her girls and her grandchildren fiercely.
Sue was a gift to us all, and we are so grateful.
