Dear Sonia & Peter

Sincere condolences on your devastating loss of Ann. I cannot express my shock and sadness at this news. 23 years of friendship which started when I took a job at what was then known as KSS. Even when I left the company we kept in touch and had many raucous phone calls in the evening discussing our travel plans and then putting the world to rights (both of us with a few choice words when describing the state of things in the world). That’s why she was one of the first people to be invited to the celebration of our civil partnership in 2012 and she made me howl saying it was about time we made it legal (we had been together for 15 years by then)!

Ann was so thoughtful and generous; she would help anyone where and when she was able. She would spend time listening and providing advice and assistance where she could. In another kind gesture she ensured that a mug that had been made for me when I worked at KSS, (but which I never received after my departure in 2011) was passed onto me when I started working back in Manchester city centre and it took pride of place on my desk from 2016 and is still being used at home.

Once I was back working in central Manchester Ann and I would meet regularly for a coffee at lunchtime, initially at Cafè Nero next to St James’s Buildings and then at a branch on Deansgate when Kalibrate moved offices. The subjects we covered in an hour, often resulting in much laughter! Unfortunately, these meetings had to end when I changed jobs and started working in Stockport, but the phone calls continued.

Even during our last conversation on Thursday, 20th July, she sounded so positive, despite her diagnosis and told me about all the things she was planning and what was going to happen in the near future. It is so tragic that she will not see these happen. She even apologised for not telling me sooner about her illness as she didn’t want to tell me more sad news since I lost my father at Easter. Another example of her caring nature and always thinking of others.

Ann – I’m going to miss you and our chats, putting the world to rights. RIP my friend.