Renowned Tyne Valley artist Sue Moffitt has died at 68 of oesophageal cancer, leaving behind a "devastated" family.
Sue, famed for art depicting animals and in particular her family's dairy cows, was a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In her final months she used her artwork to raise thousands for cancer charities and was desperate to raise awareness of the brutal disease.
She was diagnosed in 2021, but - despite being in the latter stages of a terminal illness - she continued to exhibit her work. In 2022, she had a successful six-week summer exhibition of new work at Queen’s Hall, Hexham and in December her work was included in the 20th anniversary exhibition at the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle.
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Sue's daughter Lucy Hick said: “We are devastated to have lost our beloved mum and granny. She died peacefully on February 4 surrounded by her family after a long battle with cancer. She was a wonderful mum and an amazing grandmother, and it is almost impossible to imagine life without her.”
Sue chose to be buried at the family farm, Westside, at Newton, near Stocksfield. Lucy added: "We are so pleased mum chose to be buried here, where she can continue to watch the family thrive."
Born in 1955 in Corbridge, Sue's early career included modelling and working as a cook on a sheep farm in New Zealand. But she settled back in the Tyne Valley and lived on the farm with children Lucy, Annabel and William.
Sue met husband Roy Sturgeon in the 1990s - and he helped run her award-winning gallery at the farm. Roy's death in 2016 left her bereft.
Speaking last year, Sue spoke about her artwork: “I paint to capture the spirit of an animal, its personality and a sense of how they behave, using the paint as an expression. These paintings are rooted in my identity, my respect and reverence for animals in the natural world, and my hope that humankind can live in greater harmony with them."
Sue particularly well-known for painting the cows farmed by her late father John Moffitt CBE, who was a famed-innovator in dairy farming. The original family farm was Peepy Farm in Bywell. The Hunday dairy herd that starred in many of her works was farmed first by John and then by Sue's brother Peter.
“I grew up with them; my whole life was cows,” Sue previously said. "They were my life, I can still feel their warmth, the smell of them when they were sleeping in the byre, the sound of them chewing the cud. Being born into farming life surrounded by animals, wildlife and the countryside has had a profound effect on who I am. Being in nature and with nature is my home, and my respect and connection to farm animals and wildlife reside in my inner being."
Sue is survived by her children, Lucy, Annabel and Will, her grandchildren, Jasper, Isabella, Arthur, Edith and Wilf, and her stepchildren Tim, Katie, Paul and Ben. She will be buried at Westside Farm on February 21.
For funeral details, further information about Sue and her work, and details of how to make a donation in her name to St Oswald’s Hospice, Tynedale Hospice at Home, or Macmillan Cancer Care, please visit suemoffitt.com.
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