Family mourns florist Sue

HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a charitable florist in Littlehampton who died at her home on Sunday (March 3).
Littlehampton florist Sue Kilhams, who died after losing her battle with cancer.Littlehampton florist Sue Kilhams, who died after losing her battle with cancer.
Littlehampton florist Sue Kilhams, who died after losing her battle with cancer.

Sue Kilhams, 60, the owner of Petals ’N’ Buds, in High Street, died peacefully, surrounded by family at home in Colebrook Road, Wick, after losing her battle against cancer.

Her daughter, Lee-Anne, has now taken over the florists and said that it would remain as a tribute to her “brave, loving mother” who “put everyone’s needs before her own”.

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Lee-Anne said her mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer in November and that as soon as Sue was told about the illness, she did everything she could to reassure her family.

“Mum always worried about everyone else first,” Lee-Anne said. “She worried about what was going to happen with the shop and didn’t want people to feel sad.

“She was very, very brave and never got down or depressed

“She loved doing what she could for the community of Littlehampton. It was a town she loved and I know she will be missed by so many people here.

“I have taken over the shop as it is what she wanted. It is and always will be a tribute to her.”

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Sue grew up in Littlehampton and attended the Maud Allen Secondary School for Girls, where she was taught by The Body Shop’s future founder, the late Dame Anita Roddick.

She left school at 15 to begin a floristry apprenticeship.

During the next four decades she worked at florists across the area, before opening Petals ’N’ Buds, about nine years ago.

Helped charities blossom

Sue was a well-known figure in the town and had a passion to help local charities and good causes bloom.

For the past decade she hand-crafted all the floral arrangements for the Littlehampton Carnival Association’s Carnival Queen float.

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She raised funds for the town’s RNLI lifeboat station, Littlehampton Bonfire Society, Cancer Research and, more recently, disabilities charity Raydar.

She also played a key role in organising the Littlehampton Flood Relief action group, offering aid and support to the victims of last June’s devastating flooding across the area.

“She had a real passion to help the Littlehampton community and I know she will be missed in the town,” added Lee-Anne.

“Even while she was ill, she still tried her very best to do things to raise money and really wanted to be in the shop, with the customers that she had grown to love.”

Funeral

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Sue leaves behind her partner David, three daughters Lee-Anne, Paula and Tracey, as well as her five grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Her funeral will take place at Worthing Crematorium, on Tuesday, March 19, at 2.20pm.

It is open to friends and family wishing to pay tribute to Sue.

The only request she made was for those attending to bring flowers, from her store, to the funeral.

Sue’s family wished to thank St Barnabas House hospice, in Worthing, and F.A. Holland & Sons Funeral Directors, in Littlehampton, for their support.