‘She touched the lives of so many’ – tributes paid to Highland social worker
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The daughters of a retired social worker have set up a crowdfunding page in their mum’s memory.
Emma and Sophie Roddick, who lost mum Sue last week, aged only 59 after a short illness, said they set up the fundraiser in response to so many messages from people wanting to give a donation in her memory as current Covid restrictions limit the numbers who can attend funerals.
Emma, who is also councillor for the Inverness Central ward on Highland Council, said her mum was well-known by many through her work.
She grew up in Alness.
As a social worker Mrs Roddick worked with children who were care experienced.
One of the charities the sisters hope to support through donations is Who Cares Scotland?, which specialises in looked-after young people.
The other beneficiary is HUG Action for Mental Health, a cause close to Mrs Roddick’s heart.
Emma said: “Lots of people have been in touch with Sophie and me to say our mum was a huge influence on their lives.
“The consensus seems to be that mum was encouraging, without taking any nonsense.
“Mum grew up near Dalmore Distillery and knew half the town of Alness.
“Her mum, Mary Finnie, still lives in Alness. Her dad was William Macleod, a distillery stillman who died before I was born.
“She went to Bridgend Primary, then Invergordon Academy as Alness Academy was just being built at the time.”
Mrs Roddick began her working life in the Women’s Royal Naval Service as a training support assistant
“After a career in the Navy she took a social work post in Dunbartonshire and that is where she met our dad, Davy,” Emma continued.
“Mum and dad moved back to Alness when I was very little,” said Emma.
“Dad very sadly passed away in 2002.
“Mum worked in social work in the Highlands for a few decades and then took early retirement due to ill-health a few years ago.”
Sophie said: “Anyone who knew our mam knew she was a very compassionate woman, this is shown through the countless charities she supported.
“She was a natural-born mum, whether to us or to all of the children she worked with. Mum was very proud of where she came from and often spoke of her childhood growing up with her dad and her sister.
“We always thought we would have more time with her but, as mum always said, ‘all good things come to an end’.
To make a donation see www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sue-roddick
Read a tribute to fire service stalwarts.
