Susan Jane Kelly née Isaacs (ED 1951)
24th February 1933 – 4th March 2025

Written by Susan’s sons, Simon and Nicholas Kelly

Sue was born in North London on 24th February 1933. She was just 6 years old when World War II broke out and was sent to the country for her safety, separating her from her parents. These were not happy times and she was glad to be eventually reunited with her parents. 

Sue arrived at St Swithun’s School in September 1946 (Earlsdown House) when she was 13, going into Form Lower 5B. Sue left in
April 1951 (Upper 6). She was Head Girl in 1950. Sue made lifelong friends during those schooldays and kept in touch with them right to the end of her life. In fact, she even attended the funeral of a schoolfriend only two weeks before she herself died. Her links to St Swithun’s and her happy times at school were important to her.

After leaving St Swithun’s, Sue went to drama school in London – where amongst other skills, elocution was on the syllabus. Sue had a beautiful speaking voice and, many years later, was asked to put her training to use by helping a novice vicar with his projection.

In 1953, she met and married her husband, Graham Kelly. They set up house in England and then, in 1960, Graham and Sue moved to Jakarta just after their first son, Simon, was born. Due to Graham’s job, they were soon on the move again, this time to Trinidad where
their second son, Nicholas, was born in 1963. After a brief time back in England, they moved to Antigua. Four years later, Graham joined the Foreign Office, and they were posted to Barbados. It was during her years in Barbados that some of her happiest times were spent and,once more, deep friendships forged.

Graham was posted back to Trinidad in 1976, but sadly during this time their marriage ended and Sue returned to England. Her return coincided with her parents’ retirement from the business they had been running. It was a happy time for the three of them, joined by Simon and Nicholas in their school holidays, in the lovely house that Sue and her parents shared in Farnham. After many
years as a diplomat’s wife, Sue began a new career, first with Yellow Pages, then as a Careers Officer for Surrey County Council,
before joining former colleagues in their new business developing educational computer programs for junior schools.

Eventually, Sue retired and moved from Farnham to the nearby village of Rowledge. From the beginning, she loved being in Rowledge. She said that her new house was the first house she had chosen on her own and furnished on her own! Sue joined St James’ Church in the village. She was a very active member of the church community and helped with all the events that were organised, from cake sales and other fundraisers to the Sunday School. She hosted communion in her own home for those who were unable to get to St James’ on Sundays and then cooked her guests a slap-up lunch afterwards. Her friendship and hospitality made these monthly get-togethers
very special occasions, much appreciated by those who attended.

Family was very important to Sue. We have happy memories of her ninetieth birthday, in February 2024, when she said she didn’t want any presents (she said that, if she had presents, there would just be more to declutter eventually!) but would love tea at The Ritz.
So, the family travelled from Jersey, Barbados, the UK and Canada to be with her at the celebrations. It was a time for us all to be together and mark this special birthday.

In 1991, Sue’s first grandchild was born. Eventually, there were five grandchildren, now ranging in age from seven to thirty-three! She followed their lives in great detail, with words of wisdom and encouragement. In 2018, she spent a week in Jersey, prior to the wedding of her first grandchild, Georgia, which was a special time for all the family, with lots of laughs and memories for us to look back on. Luckily, before she died, Sue was able to meet her older two great-grandchildren, born in 2023 and 2024 and travelled up to London for her oldest grandchild’s baptism. The photos of that day record the smiles and happiness of all four generations.

Sue’s funeral in St James’ Church, Rowledge, in April was overflowing with family and friends. During the years she had lived in the village, she had made many new friends not only at church but also in the community. Old friends came from far and wide, including
friends she had made over 50 years ago in the Caribbean. Many others followed the live stream online.

Despite the challenges of her early life, Sue always had a positive attitude. Right up to her last days in hospital, she turned to her sons
and said “We all have so many blessings to be grateful for.” Sue’s final illness was unexpected and brief and she died peacefully, with her family next to her, on 4th March 2025. She will be much missed. ■

Published in the OGA Chain 2025.