TRIBUTES have been paid to a keen local walker.

Sue Stephenson passed away on November 5 of ovarian cancer.

Judith Heale, a friend and member of Bolton Ramblers said Sue would be missed very much by her family and fellow walkers.

She was described as a ‘legend’ on the walking scene.

Judith said: “Sue was an extremely popular woman, she always planned excellent walking routes, she was kind and considerate and was a legend according to fellow ramblers.”

Sue was many things to many people, she was a beloved mum, granny and the partner, companion and wife of Joe for close on 60 years. 

Judith added: “Sue was most widely known in Bolton as a very active, very effective, much-loved and much respected member of Bolton Ramblers.

“Her love of the countryside of nature and of walking led her to join the group in 1985 and from as early as 1991, she was a walk leader, not only skilled in navigation and map-reading but also tireless in researching, devising and selecting walks.

“She would scour through books, maps, walking magazines and her own experience to find and adapt routes suitable for the particular group she would be leading.”
Judith  said that Sue would lead walks, undeterred by rain, snow, mud or extremes of temperature.

She said: “Sue’s knowledge and energy stretched much further afield than Bolton. She led monthly coach rambles throughout the North-west of England, the Lake District, North Wales and into Yorkshire.

“Although in 2015, due to ill health, it meant that Sue could no longer walk any distance, she continued to organise, design and support group walks for another three years.”

She was laid to rest near to the top of Ridgmont Cemetery in Horwich, her grave overlooking the hills and moors above Bolton that she loved so dearly.