Life Lessons from a Friend Passing
Peter Smith
Consultant: to Brands/Suppliers/Retailers. Sales Training Expert, Executive Coach, Keynotes, Hiring Workshops, Author, Hiring Squirrels, Sell Something and The Sales Minute, Columnist: National Jeweler, The Jewelry Book.
Diane passed away yesterday.
Of the few things we had in common, our Saint Patrick’s Day birthdays was one of them.
She had just turned 51.
I first met her around 1987 at Tiffany & Co., where we both worked. I wasn’t the first person, and certainly not the last, to have been wowed by how beautiful she was.
That said, it wasn’t just her great looks, but something else; something in the way she carried herself, the way she'd look at you, that set her apart.
As the years passed - I moved on from Tiffany and she, as it turned out, spent the entirety of her young life there - our lives rarely intersected.
I remember a lovely letter from her in the early nineties; a brief meeting or two, a few phone calls and texts and a couple of conversations about Hiring Squirrels, my first book, of which Diane became quite the champion.
When I got the news this week that she had gone into hospital for the final time, I was saddened beyond anything I could have anticipated.
I knew that Diane was leaving behind her husband and her three precious children – and I could only imagine how devastating these days would be for them.
I knew that she was leaving behind her other family; all of her current and past Tiffany colleagues.
And, of course, I knew that all the friends who she cherished throughout the course of her young life would be devastated at her passing.
But the sad news that Diane had gone into hospital for the final time, coming amidst the all-consuming news of Covid-19, of recessions and bailouts, of furloughs, layoffs, pay cuts and related stresses, was a terrible reminder about how precious life is; about how short life is, about the power of friendships, of family and friends. And, most of all, of love.
Diane Ray Brown lost her battle with Cancer on March 25, 2020, but she went out as one of life’s big winners; giving that gift of love to her husband, her son and her two daughters.
For those of us who knew her, she was a star that illuminated whatever little part of our lives she happened to touch. And for that we can be thankful.
Rest in Peace.
Director of Sales, Proven Top Sales Producer & Sales Trainer In the Luxury Jewelry Industry.
11 个月??????
Consultant: to Brands/Suppliers/Retailers. Sales Training Expert, Executive Coach, Keynotes, Hiring Workshops, Author, Hiring Squirrels, Sell Something and The Sales Minute, Columnist: National Jeweler, The Jewelry Book.
4 年Thanks everyone for reading this and for the many nice comments. I chose, in this case, not to reply individually as the real loss is with Diane's family and her closest friends. I didn't want to insert myself into that story any more than was necessary. No offense intended to any of you who have engaged on the piece. Stay safe everyone.
Partner and Management Specialist. Professional musician, song writer, performer.
4 年Beautifully said.
President ,Khoury Bros.Jewelers
4 年In merely mentioning her long association with our jewelry industry powerhouse name of Tiffany , and her young age of passing conjures up in our minds a person who we would highly admire even we never met and makes feel the sadness in her loss . May she Rest In Peace , and our condolences to her loved ones .
Board president (Special Citizens); former CHRO-Tiffany & Co.; NYU Fashion & Luxury MBA Advisory Board; Organizational Psychologist
4 年Thank you Peter. I loved her too.