• OBITUARY
12 January 1952 – 25 December 2024
SUSAN (Sue) Dianne Ritchie (Wyatt) was fondly remembered on Friday, January 3 at the Korumburra Showgrounds by friends, family and representatives of various organisations she enriched with her vibrant presence, following her unexpected passing on Christmas Day at age 72.
“She was a beacon of kindness, bringing light, laughter and positivity to everyone she met,” Gippsland Southern Health Service (GSHS) stated in an online post, paying tribute to Sue who was a Personal Care Attendant and ran activities as a Diversional Therapist, having a passion for gardening.
The service in her honour was packed, with people occupying the grandstand as well as indoors, the Showgrounds an ideal location to remember a lady who long contributed to the Korumburra Agricultural & Pastoral (A&P) Society.
She was also devoted to those in her care at Korumburra’s Hillside Lodge, run by GSHS.
The health service recently commended Sue for her 25 years of service to the organisation and those in its care.
“Her unwavering dedication to our residents, her passion for providing exceptional care, and her ability to inspire those around her have left a lasting legacy within our team and community,” the glowing tribute said.
GSHS CEO Louise Sparkes noted Sue provided a lot of support for staff as well as residents.
“She was particularly well-loved by the staff, the residents and the residents’ families,” Louise said.
Funeral attendees heard that Sue never said a bad word about anyone, her granddaughter Ashlyn describing her as “always too good for this world”.
The A & P Society was just as effusive in its praise for Sue, albeit it she would downplay such fuss and give tribute to others, such was her humble nature.
“Susan was a much valued and highly respected A&P Society committee member for many years and will be sadly missed,” the organisation stated.
The society’s recent president Rhonda Brooks recalls a “lovely person” and while commending Sue’s contribution to the Korumburra Show also noted her devotion to the residents of Hillside Lodge, where she was often happy to take on extra shifts.
Sue took over creating displays for the Show in the Amenities Complex at the Showgrounds from Rhonda’s father, doing so “brilliantly”.
Sue would work with organisations such as the local CWA and Historical Society to create exhibits.
“A couple of years ago she did a wedding display and it was absolutely wonderful; she got some of the older people to bring in their wedding dresses with history of when they were worn,” Rhonda said, the exhibition also featuring a host of wedding accessories.
Korumburra and District Historical Society secretary Janet Wilson assisted Sue in researching and preparing her displays, describing her own contribution as “small” and Sue’s historical displays at Korumburra Shows as “wonderful”.
“She spent a lot of time preparing, researching and finding stuff in the Historical Society rooms and she was just so competent and such a caring person with attention to detail,” Janet said, describing
Sue’s work ethic as “astronomical” and noting the displays were greatly appreciated by the community.
Rhonda said the hard work Sue put into her exhibits was typical of her relentless approach to doing things properly.
As well as being a general committee member for the A&P Society, Sue was president of the Amenities Complex committee.
She was born at Korumburra Hospital, living in Arawata all her life, attending Arawata Primary School and the then Korumburra High School before working as a shop assistant in her father Lester’s electrical store, at one stage being named ‘Most Courteous Shop Assistant’ by the local business association.
In her youth, Sue belonged to Brownies and Girl Guides and represented Arawata in a basketball premiership in the side’s first season in 1961.
She was one of five siblings, with brothers Geoff, Kelvin and Lyle, and sister Leonie.
Sue married Andrew Ritchie in 1973, being active in the running of the couple’s farm and preparing meals for hay carters.
Sue and Andrew had sons Alastair and Cameron, becoming proud grandparents of Ashlyn and Isabella.
