MEMBERS of the Queen Elizabeth’s Educational Foundation were greatly saddened by the death of their longest-serving trustee of more than 45 years, Mrs Susan Mary Meads MA (Oxon).

Born in Stafford on April 10, 1937, she spent the Second World War with her mother and brother in St Eval, Cornwall where she was happy, and she became a fine horsewoman.

Indeed her parents retired to St Merryn in North Cornwall, and after their deaths she kept the house as a holiday home for the family.

Susan passed her 11-plus at the age of nine and attended the private school of St Mary and St Anne, at Abbots Bromley Staffordshire.

She became the head girl and co-author of a history of the school.

She then won a place at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford to read modern history, being proud that her graduation entitled her to use the letters MA (Oxon).

Some years later she studied at the University of Law, Guildford, eventually becoming a partner at J and SP Pope Solicitors in Gandy Street, Exeter.

While working at Nuffield College Oxford, she was waiting at a bus stop in the pouring rain one evening when a young man in a black Morris Minor pulled up and offered her a lift. That young man was Dr Roy Meads. This chance encounter led to her marriage!

Susan owned that black Morris Minor for the rest of her life.

Soon after marriage Dr Meads took the post of lecturer in physics at Exeter University.

They needed to find a house near Exeter with room for his Steinway grand piano, Cheriton Fitzpaine became her home for the rest of her life.

Susan helped found the Cheriton Fitzpaine Playgroup and was a member of the Drama Group, North Creedy Choral Society, Parish Hall committee, Carnival Committee, the Parish Council, and for 30 years Mid Devon District Council, of which she was chairman between 1991 and 1993.

In 2008 she was honoured by being made an honorary Alderman of Mid Devon District Council.

She was also a governor and endowment governor of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Crediton, where her humour and astute leadership were much appreciated by members, we became good friends.

A loyal worshipper at St Matthew’s Church in the village, she was at one time a bellringer.

The last months of her life were dominated by deteriorating health. She had live-in carers from Hungary and Namibia.

She openly contemplated her demise (which occurred on July 2, 2020) and did not fear death, as she was fortified by her Christian faith.

John Stone

Queen Elizabeth’s Educational Foundation.