LIFE LESSONS: Being made an MBE was proudest moment by far (From Oxford Mail)

LIFE LESSONS: Being made an MBE was proudest moment by far

10:00am Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Columns

Today we talk to Sue Holden, the company secretary of Barton Community Association WHAT I’M CALLED: Sue Holden.

MY AGE IN YEARS: 64.

WHAT I DO: I work for Barton Community Association as their company secretary.

WHERE I LIVE: Sandhills, Oxford.

WHO I LOVE: I love all my friends and family, but in particular my hubby Barry and my son Richard, who between them keep me sane and very busy.

HAPPIEST YEAR: I have a few very happy years, 1982 when I married Barry, 1984 when I had my son and 2011 when my son married and I was gifted with the world’s most wonderful daughter-in-law.

DARKEST MOMENT: My darkest moment was in 2004 when I thought I was going to lose Barry to a heart condition, but, bless him, he pulled through against all the odds.

PROUDEST BOAST: Being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2008.

LESSON LEARNED: The best lesson I have ever learned is to see some element of good in everyone, regardless, and to treat people how I would like to be treated.

WORST WEAKNESS: I talk too much.

DULLEST JOB: I don’t think I’ve ever had a dull job, except maybe when I first started work at the Midland Bank in Reading and as part of my job as a junior filing clerk I had to make the tea for everyone in the office approximately 40 cups at a time – not my best moment.

GREATEST SHAME: My greatest shame – that`s a difficult one – maybe I never learned to swim and have lived to regret it, but that’s more “Oh, what a shame” rather than “I’m ashamed of that”.

LIFELONG HERO: My lifelong hero is my husband, because he really has had to put up with a lot married to me, as well as all the health problems that he has had to face over a number of years. He also has great pride in what I do.

OLDEST FRIEND: Oldest friend – I have loads of friends, some going back to my school days and my early working life and some much more recently. Probably if I had to choose one, I would choose Lin Butler, whose friendship has always been unconditional and sincere, stretched over many years. We have shared many happy moments as well as many dark days.