SUSAN RICHARDSFormer librarian Susan Richards of Barnstaple died at the age of 63 on August 21, 2009, following a courageous battle against cancer.She worked in Barnstaple Library for 18 years and had been retired for only 16 months.Her kindness, efficiency and vast knowledge in so many subjects will be remembered by many people who used the library over the years.She was born in Exeter and moved to Barnstaple with her family when she was about eight.Together with her sister Jane she had an idyllic childhood, thanks to her parents Tom and Beryl Richards.She attended the convent school in Barnstaple and then the grammar school.She finished her education at Swansea University from where she graduated with a degree in modern languages.She worked abroad and in London before moving back to North Devon in the 1970s.She worked for Coutants in Ilfracombe for some years before joining Barnstaple Library.She was loved by all her colleagues for her cheerfulness, sense of humour and generous nature. Her friendship will be her legacy.Throughout her life Susan was an ardent traveller both in the UK and abroad.She visited the USA, New Zealand and many countries in Europe both for pleasure and to work.She was fluent in several languages enabling her to get the most out of her travels.Her friend Marlene Slocombe, who knew Susan for nearly 40 years, said: "Her fondest memories of holidays were trips to Exmouth with her family when she was a child so it was fitting that the last trip she made was to Exmouth in the spring of this year."When not working or travelling Susan had many hobbies including dance, art work, needlework and music.She also used her skills as a reference librarian to take part in many general knowledge quizzes.She had a vast circle of friends including people she had kept in touch with from school.She was always very proud of her Welsh ancestry, from her father's side of the family.Marlene described her friend as "very particular and very precise"."Once she had made her mind up you couldn't turn her," she said."She would not suffer fools gladly but was very generous. She always thought of other people."She was unique. I don't think there was anybody quite like Susie."She died at Swimbridge Nursing Home.
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