Thank you for what you taught me

Yesterday, I received news that my colleague Louise had passed away. I read the words, but they didn’t quite land. Maybe they still haven’t. It’s the first time I’ve faced something like this in my career. I thought of my mum, who has experienced this kind of loss multiple times in her two decades of her current role. I’ve only just started my own journey, and perhaps that’s why this feels so unfamiliar.

This post isn’t about me—it’s about the lessons I learned from the short but rich time I had working alongside Louise.

From my first week on the job, Louise welcomed me with a warm smile and practical tips—like how to make sense of my new work laptop. She walked me through tasks with care and clarity, and was always willing to lend a hand when I got stuck.

What stood out most was her elegance—not just in how she dressed (her accessories, shoes, and earrings always matched perfectly), but in how she carried herself through challenging situations. She was composed, generous, and kind.

Louise had a way of nurturing strong relationships at work. She asked about people’s lives with genuine interest and care. As someone who sometimes struggles to understand the balance between being a colleague and a friend, I really admired how naturally she navigated that line.

One moment that stays with me is an afternoon when she stayed back to help me figure out the bypass tray on the office printer. She had somewhere to be but chose to stay and make sure I was okay. I was so grateful for her help.

I never told her this, but when I got home, I realised I had accidentally loaded the printer incorrectly and printed all 300 stickers... backwards! Luckily, thanks to her instructions, I was able to fix the issue on Monday and reprint them on my own. I think she would have laughed with me.

We didn’t share many laughs, but we did share small joys and calm moments during what felt like a storm leading up to our project deadline.

I didn’t get to know her deeply, but I feel lucky to have worked alongside her. The care she brought to her work and her relationships left a lasting impression on me. Thank you Louise, for your guidance and help. I'll cherishe our connection for years to come.