Susie was born and brought up in Scotland. On marriage to Hal, they moved to Levens Hall near Kendal, going on to open it as a popular historic attraction and successful business.
Susie was a Trustee of Barnardo’s, founder Chair of Strickland House (the centre for Voluntary Organisations in Kendal), a Governor of Kendal College, a Trustee of St John’s Hospice, and Chair of The Francis C Scott Trust. She is currently a Patron of the Sunbeams Music Trust and the Castle Street Centre (Kendal), President of Kendal Civic Society, a Trustee of Manna House, and a Parish Councillor.
Susie has four grown-up children and ten grandchildren, and has recently graduated with an Honours degree in Humanities from the Open University.