Holly RobertsSend a message to

Holly Roberts

Holly Roberts

The more I think, the more memories I remember about Ruth. All positive, lots of fun and personal and professional reflection. Writing the below has been very sad, but has helped me start to come to terms with the loss of a friend and colleague. Ruth has always been so supportive, I often turned to Ruth because she always had a sound, reasoned perspective. Ruth used to work in the office next to mine (I think it is now a computer repair shop on B floor!) and as a young and naive manager (about 7 years ago) I used to always come in and speak to Ruth, gossiping about officers and other staff and chatting about which gigs we have been to recently and whether we were attending that week’s ‘Stitch and Bitch’. Manager Training- this set of about 10 day sessions across a year is where Ruth and I really started to reflect about ourselves and each other as peers. We discovered that we were, in essence, polar opposites with regards to personality and management style. Ruth was reflective and analytical, I was (and probably still am) a bit of an extrovert and joker. Both have their positives and negatives. It is during these sessions and chats with Ruth, reflecting on this where I really started to understand myself in my role and how to improve myself. I will always thank Ruth for this. Recently I’ve been coming to Ruth for lots of advice. Mainly around democracy and interpreting our beloved governing documents. I really enjoyed talking with Ruth about different interpretations, using discretion, ensuring outcomes are fair and proportional. I still don’t know what I will do now when a situation arises where I need to speak to Ruth. What will I do? I will remember Ruth, put myself in Ruth’s shoes and ask myself ‘What would Ruth say in this situation?’ I will also remember Ruth’s Phrase ‘Ahh well, it will be alright’. I’ve heard it so many times and I can still hear her soft, upbeat voice and kind smile telling me everything will be ok even though we had just spent ten minutes talking about some problem of some sort. There are many more memories in the mind bank, there always will be with eight years of working with someone so influential. I looked up to Ruth and will continue to do so; she was so supportive and kind and I will always remember that. I will deeply miss Ruth and I don’t think I realise how much, sitting on my dining room table, unable to see Ruth’s desk and office and not in a normal working environment. I won’t see Ruth chatting to others outside my glass fronted office. I won’t see Ruth at any meetings or days away any more. I won’t get to ask Ruth what option she got at the Buffet. This is nothing in comparison to what Steve and Ruth’s family won’t get to experience anymore and my deepest heartfelt condolences go to you all. Ruth was an incredible person, who will be deeply missed forever.

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