R41 000 worth of winnings for crossword fanatic
She would keep the crossword clippings to check her answers the following week, and find out if she made a mistake or was just unlucky.
Sue Westoby is a bubbly, welcoming and endearing woman.
Her lighthearted approach to life will draw you in, however, there is one thing that this Southbroom resident takes very seriously.
Her crosswords.
Sue was in for a pleasant surprise when her daughter, Claire Storm, came across a pile of crossword cuttings that she (Sue) had collected over the years.
Amused and taken aback by how many crosswords had been accumulated, Claire tallied them up and the result was shocking.
Over a period of 10 years, Sue had correctly completed around R41 000 worth of the South Coast Herald’s weekly crosswords.
With a knack for words and a mind well-tuned to the daunting crossword grid, Sue is a cruciverbalist of note.
She has always been a fan of crosswords, and waits eagerly for the new ones to be published each week.
Sue is among many within the community who finds joy in completing crosswords, while simultaneously stimulating the brain.
“I have always enjoyed the challenge and the chance to be competitive, particularly as I don’t play any sport.
I am fascinated by the English language and its often seeming contradictions,” said Sue.
She began entering the crosswords in other people’s names, like friends or family and they would be overjoyed when they received their prize.
“Most of them had never won anything in their lives before and it was exciting for them.
Others would use the money to buy items like school shoes or pay for other necessities.
“It was humbling to me, realising that most people needed that little bit of extra funding to be able to do those things,” explained Sue.
She would keep the crossword clippings to check her answers the following week, and find out if she made a mistake or was just unlucky.
“I feel very clever when I get them right,” admitted Sue.
It was mind-boggling to her, as to how such a large amount of money could come from something as simple as a crossword.
However, Sue summed it up by saying, “A little bit everyday gets you there. It is better than doing nothing, which gets you nowhere.”
When Sue isn’t knee-deep in crosswords, she volunteers at the Southbroom Library.
She will be dearly missed on the South Coast as she is soon moving away to Durban.
While she will miss the memories, Sue is excited to be closer to, and to spend more time with her grandchildren, who she adores.
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