In a letter to the editor, John Brear, national sales director at Bio-Nature, takes a moment to pay tribute to his friend and colleague Diane Suddell, who passed away on 25 July.
Dear health food trade.
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I write this letter. Dianne Suddell from Nelson Nutrition passed away after a short illness on 25 July.
Di, as she was fondly called, had been my manager at Nelson Nutrition since I bought the shop 12 years ago. People who were lucky enough to know Di will all agree that not only was she the salt of the earth, she could be relied on for friendship and advice and she always made time for everyone.
People who were lucky enough to know Di will all agree that not only was she the salt of the earth, she could be relied on for friendship and advice
As my manager she ran Nelson Nutrition as her own business. If it was fire alarms going off in the middle of the night, she would be there. I can remember the time when she grappled a shoplifter to the floor and sat on him until security arrived. I actually felt sorry for the shoplifter. Di used to send me photos of the thermometer in the winter, complaining about how cold it was; my reply was always “Put your coat on!”. In the summer the same picture would come with how hot it was; my reply would be “Take your coat off!”.
Di knew everyone that came in my shop, from customers to sales guys that were calling in for a natter. Nelson Nutrition will be a lot quieter place and Di will be sadly missed by all that knew her. I for one will miss my friend, my colleague and my advisor.
Di we will all miss you x
John Brear
