Family pay tribute to 'oldest librarian in Sussex'

Anne Moyle worked in Burgess Hill Library for 40 years from 1982 until 2022 when she was 86.

Her family described her as an “unsung local hero” who loved to be independent. Mrs Moyle died last month following a short battle with illness aged 88.

Her funeral was held at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium in Crawley on Wednesday, January 10.

“She was incredibly important to all of us, the head of the family”, said her granddaughter Pippa Moyle, “She was a real matriarchal figure.”

Mrs Moyle working at Burgess Hill Library in 2020 (Image: Supplied)

“Independence, supporting the community and doing the right thing were really important to her. Even in grandma’s last few days she was really worried about getting a library fine so she insisted my dad left her bed and handed these books back.

“She was so passionate about supporting her local community, her family, she would even go to the neighbour’s daughter’s school plays. Grandma would make trips to Brighton and even see her friends in Littlehampton on the train from Wivelsfield.

“Grandma was one of those unsung local heroes. Quite a few of the library staff came to the funeral.

“For myself, it was my grandma who inspired me to move down to Brighton in the first place. She was very passionate and supportive about my business Brighton Girl. Our last conversation was about Rural Sussex Girl which we have just created.”

Pippa Moyle, left, and her grandma Anne Moyle (Image: Supplied)

Mrs Moyle was born in Cambridge and lived there through World War Two. Her family said she would tell stories of hiding in the cupboard under the stairs when air raid sirens sounded as a young girl.

When she was 18, Mrs Moyle joined the Women’s Royal Navy Service and was posted to Portsmouth. She worked in uniform distribution and ended up going down to Plymouth.

It was there she met her husband-to-be Barrie Moyle who worked as a ship’s clerk, a person who does administrative work on a ship.

Anne Moyle in the Navy as a young woman (Image: Supplied)

Mrs Moyle went to support a Navy football match which is how the pair met. They got married in 1956 and were married for 57 years until Mr Moyle died in 2014.

Mrs Moyle wanted to raise money for St Peter and St James Hospice and a fundraiser has been set up since her funeral.

They ended up moving to North Bersted near Bognor and then Pagham where they raised their three children Christine, David and Andy.

They moved around the country due to Mr Moyle’s work but eventually settled in Burgess Hill where Mrs Moyle started working at the library.

From left, Mrs Moyle's daughter Anne, daughter Lizzie Moyle, in-law Mike Andrews, Andrew Moyle, David Moyle, Anne Moyle and daughter Christine Andrews (Image: Supplied)

Pippa, 31, who lives in nearby Haywards Heath, added: “She was so active and really independent. She travelled all the time. She had the most amazing garden as well.

“Grandma worked till she was so much older, it has taught us so much about staying active and keeping your mind busy.”

Pippa said the family are scattering their grandma’s ashes at Pagham which was the place she loved by the sea.