Tributes to former mayor of Christchurch Sue Bungey

Sue Bungey served on a wide-range of organisations in the borough, including chairing Christchurch Citizens’ Association and Christchurch Joint Residents’ Association.

She supported her late husband Colin during his 36 years as Christchurch Borough Council member after they met in London.

Sue became a councillor on Christchurch Town Council in 2019 alongside Colin, with the former school headmistress’s secretary going on to serve as mayor.

Daughter Debbie told the Daily Echo: “She was very much loved. Her and dad loved Christchurch. I think that is reflected in the number of people who came into contact with her and dad over the years.

“It is quite comforting as a family to know that someone was so loved and well thought of. I have just had so many lovely words from all sorts of people – friends, organisations, charities that she was involved with over the years.

“She kept going right to the very end.”

Sue Bungey pictured in Saxon Square, Christchurch (Image: NQ)

Sue fell ill with cancer in 2011 and fought the illness, refusing to let it define her. She went into remission but the disease returned.

Alongside Colin, she worked to keep Christchurch independent in the face of the merger with Bournemouth and Poole councils in 2019.

Sue was due to be mayor in 2020, with Colin as her consort, but she fell ill with Covid.

She was taken into hospital for emergency treatment and while there her husband was taken ill and died.

Mayor of Christchurch Cllr Viv Charrett said Sue and Colin had been “stalwarts of Christchurch for decades”.

She said Sue's outstanding features were her courage and integrity, adding that the whole of Christchurch “owed her an immense debt”.

“After Colin’s death during Covid, she became only the second town council mayor, and conducted herself with her typical kindness and generosity,” Cllr Charrett said.

“She managed to put her points and views across strongly whilst never arguing and retaining her calmness and dignity at all times. She was a great supporter of Christchurch and had been involved in many of its institutions for years.”

Cllr Charrett said Sue overcame the terrible loss of one of her daughters, continuing to carry on her duties when she was deputy mayoress at the time.

The current mayor added: “She was devoted to her family, her daughter Debbie and her grandson Teddy, who she doted on.”

Sue died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Monday, August 7.

Her funeral will take place at 12 noon at The Priory, Christchurch, on Thursday, August 31. Mourners are asked to wear a bright buttonhole flower.

Family flowers only. If desired, donations can be made for Macmillan Caring Locally, which helped care for Sue in her final days, online at tapperfuneralservice.co.uk or sent to Tapper Funeral Service, 89/91 Barrack Road, Christchurch, BH23 2AJ.