Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper

Subject: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: smallpiper
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 06:33 AM

Some of you will have known her as Sue the pipes through her links with me and Bassic, others will have known her through her long association with Whitby Folk Festival and her partnership with Martin Bull.

She died yesterday, aged 49, around lunch time after fighting liver cancer .

I knew her for a little under 20 years, she was once my lover always my friend, my teacher, my inspiration (we leaned to play the pipes together and she inspired me to take up the scottish smallpipes and to move on to the Border pipes). We won a piping competition together last year and now she is gone.

I will miss her and the world is a poorer place.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 06:47 AM

Sorry to hear this John, Sue was a good musician and will be missed,please pass on all our thoughts to her family.john

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 07:08 AM

John, that is terribly sad news. Sue was our friend. To be cut down so tragically young leaves us so much poorer for so much longer. Peace be with you.

Greg

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Noreen
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 08:00 AM

So sorry to hear this.

Thinking about you all. xx

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: black walnut
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 08:01 AM

So young. I'm so sorry.
Hugs, b.w.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Amos
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 10:10 AM

SP:

My condolences -- a waste and a great loss.

A

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From:
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 10:46 AM

My condolences, Smallpiper!

She will be well-remembered from the sound of your message.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Oaklet
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 11:30 AM

Sue Johnson - Piper. I think that she'd be very happy with that, Smallpiper. Thinking about you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Bassic
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 11:44 AM

I only knew her for a little over 3 years but as with John she was a huge influence in both my musical and personal life. An incredibly strong person yet also vulnerable, a real character with strong opinions who had some tough breaks in the last few years. Despite this she held me together when I was ready to give up on life a couple of years ago and I will never forget her and what she did for me. I will miss my "little big sister" hugely but I know her influence will be with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you and bless you Sue. XX

Gordon

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: rock chick
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 11:59 AM

I hadn't really known her for very long, in fact just a few months, through Gordon, but from what i did get to know of her was her strong mind, and opinions, which she stood by. I wish i had had the time to have got to know her better, but that wasn't to be.

I feel very pleased to have shared her friendship, my thoughts are with all those who were very very close to her, smallpiper, bassic, and all her friends everywhere.

Sleep peacfully.

Shelagh X

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Bassic
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 12:10 PM

By coincidence I was walking through Oxford town centre yesterday afternoon (at about the time Sue passed away) and I heard the haunting sound of the pipes, (a young man busking to the tourists), he played "Amazing Grace" followed by "Mooving Clouds". `nuf said! "

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Oaklet
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 12:25 PM

Perhaps the young man was not operating alone, Gord.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 01:10 PM

That's beautiful, Gordon.

My condolences to you all. She sounds like a very fine friend and person.

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: weepiper
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 02:03 PM

Really sorry to hear that, John and all. I didn't know her but had read some messages about her on the Bellows pipes newsgroup only recently. Sorry to hear she's gone so soon.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 03:39 AM

I was saddened to hear of Sue's untimely death. We can't afford to lose good people this way.

She couldn't get across to see us in Beverley much in recent times but she'll be missed none-the-less.

Roger

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: The DeanMeister
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 07:57 AM

John, I have discussed my thoughts with you in person. I am saddened to hear the news. I didn't know Sue very well, but my abiding memory of her will be the dressing down she once gave me in Nellies because she thought I was ignoring her! She collared me in the corridor, gave me a thorough tongue lashing, then burst into tears. We then had a big cuddle, and spent the rest of the afternoon throwing beermats and assorted pub junk at each other. We were, thereafter, friends. She was a lovely, brave lady, very strong, and also very vulnerable. I shall miss her. Be strong, John.

Pete.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: balladeer
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 08:20 AM

So sorry another generous young musician has died too soon. Balladeer

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Les from Hull
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 09:50 AM

So sorry to hear this news. Sue will be greatly missed by all the people whose lives she affected.

Les and Maggie

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Willa
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 04:11 PM

So sorry to hear this, John. Peter has it right, I think; like many strong people, Sue was also very vulnerable. Clearly she will leave abiding memories with many people.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Nemesis
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 07:11 PM

I'm so sorry to hear this John (and Gordon) - only knowing Sue through what you have told me about her .. yet her clear, shining personality shone out even in anecdotes .. I know her leaving will leave an irreplaceable space in your lives - but one filled with irreplaceable memories - my thoughts are with you.
Hille
xx

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 11:06 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: smallpiper
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 02:30 PM

Sue's funeral will be either next Wednesday or Thursday. I will post time and place as soon as it is confirmed. It will be a non religious ceromony probably at the Crematorium near Willerby in Hull followed by some sort of do at Darleys on Boothferry Road. Martin has asked me to say that any musicians and singers that knew Sue will be more than welcome.

At a later date there will be a party/celibration of her life.

I will post more when things are confirmed.

Thank you all for your support

John

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: harpmaker
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 03:12 PM

A great shame, we are very sorry to hear this news. Sue was indeed a very talented person. Thoughts go with you John & Gordon at this sad time. John&Chrissy, Flamenco Ted.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: GUEST,niknak
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 03:24 PM

Hail to meet, sorry to part.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: GUEST,ossonflags
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 08:41 AM

john, you shared this sad news with me on sunday.Always remember you saw the "two days"

Let the music keep your spirits high.

Love and peace.

Mick and Mary

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: stevetheORC
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 11:08 AM

Our deepest Sympathy and Condolences go out to you and the Family at this sad time.

Orc & Pushkin

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: smallpiper
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 01:30 PM

More information about Sue's funeral. Although an exact time has not yet been set it will be no earlier than 3.30 and no later than 4.00 on Thursday May 1st. Followed by a "do" at either the Willerby Manor Hotel or The Jarvis Hotel - these are the two closest to the Crem'. More details to follow.

No flowers but if you want to please make a donation to Dove House Hospice in Hull - Sue's request.

I have also been asked to try and get some kind of information about how many people are likely to attend - so can you PM me if you are coming. I know that to some people this is possibly a waste of time and space but Sue was very well known in the folk world and was very well liked and repected as well both as a person and a musician. It would be good if people who kneew her from outside of Hull would be able to attend as well.

She has made serveral requests 1) for the City of Hull Pipe Band to play 2)for me to play 3) for Cara to play either at the funeral or at the reception afterwards. 4) for people to bring instruments voices etc and finally 5) for people to dress informally - she wants it to be a kind of joyous occasion

So that's it for now more to follow.

I would also like to thank you on behalf of those of us who loved her for the kind and supportive messages.

Love to all
John

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: harpmaker
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 03:50 PM

Gorden, Re your post above: I was playing harp at a funeral in North Yorks only today. I wasn't going to mention this, but the music handed to me to play was 'The Parting Glass', and on the music was a picture of Tom Carthy, Irish piper. What a coincidence, and at a funeral. How odd. John.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 05:23 AM

One of my favourite songs which I sing unaccompanied - I may do it in the Sun on Sunday since I'll be in America and will miss the funeral/celebration on May 1st.

Roger

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 05:31 AM

I'm not sure wether it's appropriate to plug sessions on an obit thread, [apologies if it isn't), but Skipjack suggested that tommorows Wooton session be dedicated to Sue. I have not been to that session yet, but heard its good.
Also, how about some kind of benefit gig in memory of Sue, with the proceeds to an appropriate charity ie dove house hospice or cancer research? I would be happy to donate something suitable to raffle or auction, and i'm sure many others would supporrt it in similar ways.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sue Johnson - Piper
From: GUEST,fiddler
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 05:51 AM

Ill miss sue terribly. The non flowery talk and no nonsense approach to life which once annoyed me so much I came to love. She was a great support when I needed it and always made me feel welcome. I think i am the only one who can say id pop round most days after i got off the school bus, for a chat and a girly natter about the 'boys' in the band . My time in 'The last Straw' was fab, thanks for that.
ha! what a character. wish I could be there for the send off.
all my love sue xx