We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our dear friend and colleague Leanne Collins, who passed away on Sunday 1st November following a short illness, after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease earlier this year.
Leanne had worked for SH&Co. since its inception in 1997, working alongside Susan Howarth when the office first opened on Leicester Street, Northwich. Despite coming from a non-legal background, her solid secretarial experience combined with an ability to quickly learn and apply new skills saw her fast developing into the excellent Legal Secretary she was.
Professionally, Leanne was an incredibly hard-working, committed and loyal member of the Family Law team, immensely liked and respected by all those who worked with her.
With her calm manner, Leanne was known for being completely unflappable in stressful and ‘emergency’ situations at work. Always polite, she genuinely cared about clients, who were often experiencing a personal life crisis, treating them with respect, compassion and understanding, and showing real interest in their outcomes – she had true empathy.
At work, we will remember Leanne’s kindness, her laughter, sense of fun and lovely smile. How she was always so elegantly dressed, with her hair perfectly styled. How she loved shoes and had that many different pairs in a wide range of colours, colleagues often wondered where she kept them all! We were all touched at how much she loved her family and absolutely doted on her granddaughter.
Founder and Director Susan Howarth said “Leanne will be greatly missed in so many ways. Aside from being such a lovely natured and positive person, she was a joy to work with. Leanne was discreet, loyal and totally dependable - I trusted Leanne with ALL my confidential work and I can say hand on heart she was 100 % respectful of the need to observe that confidentiality. For me, in that respect, she will be irreplaceable.”
Leanne’s funeral takes place on Thursday the 19th November at St.Mary’s, Middlewich. Sadly, due to Covid-19 there are limited numbers allowed at the funeral – Susan Howarth and Wendy Perkins feel honoured and privileged to have been invited to attend the funeral and will represent all of us at SH&Co.