It is with great sadness that the Directors announce the death of our colleague Diane Smith who passed away in the early hours of Sunday, 21st October. 
Diane had for some time been battling with cancer, but despite this and following a period of intense treatment she returned to work last October as, not only did she enjoy the work she did, she also used it as a focus to help her in her fight against this illness.
Sadly, Diane’s health took a turn for the worse the weekend before last and she had to be hospitalised and undergo major surgery which ultimately proved to be too much for her.
Diane started working for the firm in late 1987 at our Great Harwood office as a secretary in the Family department. As both secretary and latterly lawyer, Diane worked at the firm for over 25 years. Throughout her time at the firm she was conscientious, hardworking, efficient and well-liked and respected by clients and colleagues alike.
Although her career began working as a legal secretary, Diane trained to become a legal executive and moved from the practice to take up roles at Farley’s Solicitors in Blackburn and Switalskis Solicitors in Yorkshire.
Diane returned to Watson Ramsbottom in 2007 to take up a position as the Head of the practice’s Immigration advice department. As a Chartered Legal Executive, she then became an accredited specialist in Immigration work and her legal knowledge, work ethic, and particularly her organisational skills, were crucial to the practice in the expansion of the department and in the obtaining and renewal of our Legal Aid contract at that time.
Her strength courage and determination was an inspiration to those who knew Diane and worked with her.
She will be sorely missed by all her colleagues.