THE former manager of Andover Vision has died after a short illness.

Susan Sheppard – who was manager of the board until March 2012 – passed away on Wednesday, 9 April, aged 44.

During the mother-of-two’s time as the head of Andover Vision, she oversaw the instigation of the cinema and The Lights. She also organised several Andover Pride events and was a board member of the local Jamie G Sporting Trust.

Husband Matthew, who she lived with in Old Winton Road, said: “Sue was unique, beautiful and special and put so much into making Andover a better place to live for everyone. “She will be missed so much by her husband Matt and two children, Louise and Lily, along with many other family and friends.”

Mrs Sheppard owned her own shop in the High Street, was a governor at Anton Junior School and held many jobs in the area, even featuring in an article in The Telegraph’s Stella magazine about inspirational businesswomen. Here she told her story of training in drama, as a nail technician, a neurolinguistic-programming practitioner and as a reiki master.

More recently, Mrs Sheppard started her own business as a civil celebrant, presiding over funerals and weddings.