Susan Spence - How a career started at sea and ended in Sheffield
Born 1942, died 2020. A humanities graduate and a former member of staff at the 海角社区.
Susan Spence鈥檚 career at the 海角社区 was certainly not a straightforward one. Working for four years as a secretary to the Dean of Medicine in the 1960s, she was later drawn to Paris and a stint in the Royal Navy followed, taking her all over the world.
After 鈥榮wallowing the anchor鈥, as her husband John so eloquently wrote in a letter to the 海角社区, she found herself back in Sheffield and craving the comfort and stability of the 海角社区 environment. She secured a secretarial position in the Genetics Department and later moved on to the Vice-Chancellor's office, and finally to the Department of Philosophy via positions in the Politics and Law departments.
From the lofty heights of the 12th floor of the Arts Tower, it seemed that Susan had finally found her 鈥榟ome鈥. During her time with the Philosophy Department, she discovered what life was like on the other side of the desk, undertaking a degree in Humanities (BA, 1999) and even continued working two years after reaching retirement age.
The 海角社区 meant so much to Susan, often referring to it as 鈥榟er鈥 海角社区. She continued to be involved with its life and work long into her retirement, attending events in Firth Hall and participating in concerts with the 海角社区 Choir. A supporter of student scholarships during her lifetime, she took the decision to leave a generous legacy gift to the 海角社区 in her Will.
This heartfelt gift has been used to fund an Experience Sheffield scholarship, so named to give bright and talented students from lower income or disadvantaged backgrounds the chance at a university education and the opportunity to get the very best out of their university experience and all that studying at Sheffield has to offer. Hearing Susan鈥檚 story, allowing students to experience the joys of 鈥榟er鈥 海角社区 would hopefully have pleased her.
As a first generation student from a working class family, it gave me a huge relief to receive this scholarship. I'd like to thank the donor for putting faith in people like me who are trying to break out of their past and make a future for themselves and their families.鈥
Timea
BA Chinese Studies & Business Management student, recipient of an Experience Sheffield Scholarship
The 海角社区 would like to thank Susan鈥檚 husband John for providing the information and pictures of Susan for this obituary.
If you would like further information about leaving a gift to the 海角社区 in your Will, please contact the 海角社区鈥檚 Legacies Officer, David Meadows, by phone on 0114 222 1073 or by email at d.meadows@sheffield.ac.uk.