Sue Rayner - 'An indomitable spirit'

Published 5 Mar 2010 09:00 0 Comments

Tributes pour in for the former Chronicle reporter

SUE RAYNER, Director of Communications at Reading University, who had had been battling cancer since the autumn died on Saturday at the age of 59.

A consummate professional, she radiated a calm and authoritative influence over the university's communications for 16 years.

She encouraged the university to invest in its reputation management and public profile and spearheaded the growth of the Communications Department, from its origins with one information officer to a team of 10.

She was immensely proud of the team she developed and nurtured and which now covers the full range of communications functions required in a modern university.

As a trusted adviser to colleagues across the university, Sue inspired total confidence.

She was a terrific listener, full of empathy, tact and insight, generous with her time and always happy to offer wise advice although she would never force it on anyone.

She demonstrated remarkable loyalty and commitment to both her colleagues and the University through good times and bad and her mischievous and irreverent sense of humour was an invaluable asset, especially in times of crisis.

Sue was passionate about the breadth and range of work undertaken across the University and she took enormous pride and pleasure in communicating its achievements.

Her work brought her into contact with staff from every corner of the campus and, in many cases, her professional relationship with colleagues also created long-lasting friendships.

She truly cared for, and had an innate trust in, those she worked with, and her immediate colleagues benefited immeasurably from her philosophy of empowering people.

Sue grew up in Zimbabwe, training as a librarian there before starting work in the National Archives of Zimbabwe.

After a brief stay in the USA she arrived at Reading University to study for a BA in history and classics between 1979-1982, followed by an MA in Medieval Studies.

She combined raising a family with a successful journalism career over the next decade, becoming chief reporter on The Reading Chronicle and also personal archivist to Lord Sherfield, the Chancellor of the University.

She became a part-time information assistant at the university in 1994 and by 1998 became communications manager.

Her tremendous writing skills, founded in her journalistic expertise, led to many thoughtful and wonderfully-crafted articles in University publications over the years.

She also found time to return to education, completing a higher certificate in archaeology, a diploma in typography and a second MA in archaeology.

With husband Chris she regularly opened up her home to friends and colleagues, offering hospitality and genuine warmth.

Once inside, the evidence of her bookworm tendencies and prolific knitting were much in evidence.

Sue's indomitable spirit ensured she was she was always convinced hurdles would eventually be overcome through strength of argument, persistence and a belief in the right way to do things.

This philosophy sustained her as she bravely fought her illness, stoically refusing to complain and determined to carry on as normal for as long as she could.

The maxim inscribed above her desk reads, "Attaining modest yet far from inconsequential goals".

In her own gentle and terribly modest way, she represented the University with distinction.

While she always played down her success, her achievements have been of real and lasting consequence to the university.

We extend our sympathy to her husband Chris, who also works at the university, as well as her three children, two grandchildren and her many, many friends at the University and beyond.

Sue was much-loved and will be sorely missed.

by Alex Brannen

CHRONICLE editor Sally Stevens said: "Sue kept up her links with The Chronicle through her work at Reading University's press office.

"She has always been a great support to the paper and so many journalists have learned so much from working with her.

"Personally, I am grateful for Sue's support when I came back to The Chronicle in 2007 having started here as a cub reporter."

Former Chronicle assistant editor, Joe Wise, said: "I well recall Sue's arrival in the newsroom at The Reading Chronicle.

"She was a quiet, thoughtful person - but within a very short space of time we had discovered her wonderful sense of fun.

"She could always find humour in even the smallest event happening in the office. Sue quickly became one of the most popular members of the team and was a real role model for trainee reporters, helping them gain confidence and benefit from her own experience as a journalist.

"She was a journalist of high calibre, committed to informing our readers about what was happening in their town.

"But most of all, Sue was quite simply a really nice person to have as a friend."

Sue's funeral will take place on Friday, March 26. The ceremony will take place at 11am at St Lukes in Erleigh Road, followed by burial at Mays Lane in Wokingham.

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 04 Mar 10

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