Devoy, Susan (1964–)
Devoy, Susan (1964–)
New Zealand squash player. Name variations: Dame Susan Devoy. Born Susan Elizabeth Anne Devoy in 1964 in Rotorua, New Zealand; children: 4.
One of greatest women squash players of all time (1980s–early 90s), turned professional at 17; moved to England at 18 and settled in Marlow (1982); won British squash championship (1984); earned 1st World Open title (1985); won British Open Squash Championship 8 times, the last time being April 1992 after having lost it in 1991; was ranked 1st in world continuously from 1983 until unexpected retirement (Oct 1992), after achieving 4th World Women's Squash championship (in addition to Australian, British, Hong Kong, Scottish, Irish, Swedish, French and New Zealand titles for same year); named New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year (1985, 1987, 1988, 1993); became chief executive of Sports Bay of Plenty and chair of Halberg Trust. Awarded Member of British Empire (MBE, 1986) and Commander of British Empire (CBE, 1993); became Dame Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit (1998), the youngest New Zealander since Sir Edmund Hillary to receive such a high honor from the queen.