TRIBUTES have been paid to the owner of a Basingstoke business who has died after battling with cancer.

Sue Foley, who ran The Little Barn Health and Gift Shop, based at Scrapps Hill Farm, in Worting Road, died on July 13 after being diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer which spread, causing two tumours in her brain last year.

The 62-year-old mother-of-one was well known in the Basingstoke and Oakley area, having run her health and beauty business since 2007.

Her customers were told of the sad news via a post on the shop’s Facebook page.

It said: “Today our courageous, kind and beautiful Sue left this life.

“In so many ways she touched our hearts, helped and encouraged each of us in her service through the Essential Oil company at The Little Barn and we will all miss her greatly. Her faith was strong to the end of this life and now she is into her eternal life.

“Please join us in remembering her with love, praying for her and her family’s peace at this time of great loss.”

Sue’s 18-year-old daughter Ellie-Ann described her mum as “very caring”.

She added: “She understood me and she was always there. She was very caring and always wanted to help. She always thought about me and made sure I was okay.”

Sue’s husband, Sean, cared for his wife before she died at the family’s home in Oakley.

He said: “The main thing that everybody says was that she really cared about people and she loved people and cared about their wellbeing.”

He added: “She trained as a life coach so she cared about people’s mental wellbeing. Not only that, she was a Christian and her shop was a ministry to her and she cared about people’s mental health.

“When I think about Susie, she cared about every part of a person. That’s the one thing that everyone knows.”

He said his wife was “incredibly strong” during her cancer battle, adding: “She did everything she could to maintain the best health and did what she could to be as healthy as she could be.”

Last year, Sue appealed to the public to support her business, warning that it would have to close when the lease ran out at the end of August 2022, having been impacted by lockdowns and illness.

SEE ALSO: The Little Barn Health and Gift Shop could close in August

Her shop closed and the unit was taken over by Clippin’ Marvellous – a dog grooming business in January this year.

However, Sue managed to keep The Little Barn Health and Gift Shop running by launching a range of products inside Aspects Fitness Gym, also at Scrapps Hill Farm.

The shop offers a selection of natural remedies, with customers benefitting from honest and genuine researched advice from Sue.

Bryan Ironside, who owns Aspects Fitness Gym, said he has known Sue for 15 years.

Paying tribute to his friend, he said: “She was an absolutely lovely lady, she was fantastic. She had the little shop next to me which closed in September because of the cancer.

“She was a wonderful lady. She was always cheerful and helpful.”

Dozens of customers also paid tribute to Sue on The Little Barn Health and Gift Shop’s Facebook page.

Tara Billington said: “Sue was always welcoming and helpful in her shop. I miss going in to look around while having in-depth conversations with her. Rest in peace Sue.”

Mel Bristow said: “Such a lovely lady always. Will always be remembered.”

Emma Louise described Sue as a “beautiful lady” adding: “[She] was filled with wisdom, knowledge, kindness and so much more. I’m so thankful for the day I walked into her beautiful little shop. It became my little getaway from the world.”

Stephanie Bettridge added: “So sorry to read this news. Sue was always so welcoming, knowledgeable and kind. Thinking of her daughter and husband whom she was so proud.”