Tributes paid to Sue Pomeroy, Bridgwater Operatic Society President

Sue Pomeroy sadly passed away on March 3 following a short but intense fight against cancer.

Sue Pomeroy took over the role after BOS lost their long-serving president, Bill Young.

Sue, a Bristol girl, married husband Tony Pomeroy and came to Bridgwater in 1965.

Tony, already a member of BOS, suggested Sue joined - and she was soon “hooked”.

In 1977, Sue took her first lead role and played Polly Browne in The Boy Friend.

But she did not stop there, and played various other roles including Maria in The Sound Of Music, Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Bloody Mary in South Pacific and many more.

In 1971, Sue was elected to join the committee of the society, and she spent many years as vice chairman, chairman and then, for a few weeks, president of the society.

She also helped to direct shows including The King and I with her grandson Ben, and then Annie - the first BOS show to be performed at the McMillan Theatre.

Her final performance was as Sister Mary Lazarus in Sister Act - during which she learned to rap.

Alongside her work at BOS, Sue also worked as a staff nurse in the operating theatre at Nuffield Hospital in Taunton. She was soon promoted to sister and then to theatre manager, where she stayed until her retirement.

Outside of work, Sue was a member of the BBS Regional Advisory Committee and appointed as chairman. She also broadcast regularly for BBC Somerset on their Saturday morning talk show.

Emma Britton, former BBC presenter and Sue’s friend, delivered Sue’s eulogy at her funeral.

“Sue was an incredible person, much-loved by so many,” she said.

“It was a personal privilege to be asked by Sue earlier this year to write and deliver her eulogy.

“I asked Sue what her message would be to those gathered at her funeral and she simply said that she hated bad feeling and we should all be kind to each other.

“She will be so very much missed.”

Sue was also a highly respected adjudicator for The National Operatics and Drama Association (NODA).

In 2019, she was awarded the Somerset County Council Chairman’s Award for service to the community.

Despite being so busy, Sue was “devoted to her family” - her husband Tony, her children Kathy and David and her grandchildren.

“We will remember her as a truly remarkable lady,” said a spokesperson for BOS.

“She always claimed to have lived three lives - her adored family, home and garden, her work at the Nuffield and her beloved Operatic Society and NODA.

“She will be greatly missed.

“Rest In Peace, Sue.”