It was attended by more than 250 people, who all walked behind the hearse to the burial ground at St Mary's, suitably holding up traffic along the road that Susan walked many times.

Originally from Sheffield, Susan moved to Havant when she was 15 with her parents and brother, John, she then moved to Hayling in 1968.

Trained as an accomplished chef, she was highly regarded at Havant Borough Council for her charity cake-making skills.

Susan was, firstly, a lady, dressing elegantly from hair to heels. She projected an unmistakeable presence tempered only with a sense of humour that sometimes bordered on mischievous.

Though sensitive to the cares of others, she was never shy or afraid to say what she was thinking.

It was for this reason that people found it easy to turn to her in times of doubt. She was ever worldly, and able to relate to almost any situation.

The support that she offered was inexhaustible, but always when - and where - it was most needed.

Blindness never affected her attitude to life. In fact, it made her even more determined.

Despite all physical hindrance, Susan went on to make frequent TV appearances with her husband James on Bronze Age re-enactment programmes.

Their true "15 minutes of fame" came while appearing as high priest and priestess in the Stonehenge Live broadcast for Channel 5, in 2005, which was shown worldwide via the Discovery Channel.

Susan is survived by her husband James, her son John-Barry Howard, her mother Beth Gleadall, her brother John Gleadall and her six step-children all of whom she adored.

Many thanks to all who attended the memorable service which was conducted so sensitively by Rev Thomas.

Thanks to all the staff of Exton ward who transcend their duties with genuine concern and comfort.

Thanks also to Hayling Co-operative funeral directors who have collected £620 for Cancer Research UK.

These people have eased the passing of a wonderful person.
Susan's mother Beth said: "She wasn't just a daughter to me, she was my friend… and a very good friend."