Susan Weylan Reader

Published on 11/01/2023

READER It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Susan Weylan Reader nee Lewis, aged 80. She was born in Farnborough on 25th March 1942, and died on Sunday 18 December 2022 in Exeter at the age of 80. Susan was part of the Howitt/Hare family from Newark. The Hares (Quakers) were involved in Shipbuilding. A trawler (Lady Shirley) was named after, and launched by Susan's mother. During the war, the Lady Shirley notoriously sank a U Boat (U111). Her father (Lt William Hobcraft) died in the war when she was 18 months. Her mother remarried some years later, and had a son Nick, before relocating to Exmouth. Susan was educated at Lowther College at Bodelwyddan Castle, then worked in London. She spent a few years in Zambia with the family. She competed several times at the national carriage trials at Windsor. For the last 40 years she was the owner of the Retreat Boatyard (Topsham) in Devon. She was a Freeman of the City of London, and a member of the Guild of Shipwrights. She is survived by husband, David, son Simon, and daughter Kate. A small funeral will be held in Woodbury on 20th January 2022.

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