A BUSINESSMAN has paid tribute to his wife who has died of cancer at the age of 56. Lady Susan White, wife of Sir Nicholas White, of former Maidstone brewers Style and Winch, died on May 16.

The funeral service took place at St John The Baptist Church at Wateringbury, near Maidstone, last Thursday following cremation the previous day.

Lady White, who was born in Ireland, moved to Hadlow in 1976, with her husband, whom she met while working in London. Sir Nicholas worked at the time for Courage Brewers, the owners of the Style and Winch brewery.

The couple and their three children, Christopher, Simon and Annabelle, moved to Canon Lane, Wateringbury, in 1981. Sir Nicholas stressed: "I will remember her as the most wonderful wife and friend, and an absolutely superb mother who was always strict but fair. She made sure the children were always able to cope on their own."

He said: "She enjoyed a party and always saw the happy side of life. She was a superb hostess, able to get on with everyone. She would seat people next to each other who had never met before and it would always work."

He added: "She was the most superb interior designer and also a very keen gardener and those are the things I will remember because I shall be living with them."

Lady White's family is asking for donations to be made to the National Hospital Development Foundation to fund a new type of scanner. Cheques payable to the foundation can be sent to funeral directors Viner and Sons, 54 High Street, West Malling ME19 6CU.