Hawk’s Well Theatre leads heartwarming tributes to former box office manager Vanessa Job

WARM tributes have been paid to the late Vanessa Job.

Vanessa passed away peacefully in the excellent care of nurses and staff at the North West Hospice on Friday, April 12.

Vanessa (pictured right) was known to many in Sligo as one of the faces of the Hawk's Well Theatre where she served as box office manager for a number of years.

Staff at the Hawk's Well paid tribute to Vanessa last weekend. In a statement on social media, they said: “The Hawk’s Well Theatre is filled with sadness today as we hear the news of the passing of our dear friend and former colleague Vanessa Job.

“There are no words to describe Vanessa’s huge presence during her time here. She was a friend to all who had the privilege to meet her.

“Vanessa will be remembered for her warm welcoming smile, her brilliant sense of humour and sharp wit and of course, her bold red lipstick!

“During her time at the Well, Vanessa hosted Books and Hot Chocolate and Books & Wine. No stranger to the stage, she was involved in Sligo Acts, Kieran Quinn Theme Nights, Sing for the Hell of It, and performed with Sligo Fun Company and much more…

“Our thoughts are with her family and everyone who loved Vanessa.

“Vanessa, we will miss your wonderful spirit, your sense of fun and the sound of your voice singing echoing through the building.”

As well as working with many drama and musical groups during their productions at the Hawk's Well, Vanessa also took the stage herself on occasion.

Sligo Fun Company also remembered her fondly.

“It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of our beautiful, dear friend Vanessa Job.

“We had a fantastic working relationship with Vanessa through her role in the Hawk’s Well Theatre and we were delighted when she joined us on stage for some of our productions. Her presence was immense. She loved every minute of taking part in our shows and was a great addition to our cast.

“Vanessa had such positivity in everything she did and brought her infectious laugh everywhere she went. It was impossible not to be affected by her wonderful, flashing smile behind those signature red lips! Vanessa fought like the warrior she was and will never be forgotten by everyone who knew her. “

The directors of the Cairde Arts Festival also spoke of their strong working relationship with Vanessa.

“We want to pay tribute to Vanessa Job, a wonderful and dear colleague and friend who sadly passed away this weekend. Vanessa worked at Hawk's Well Theatre for many years and it was a real joy and privilege to work with her and get to know her during this time.

“An incredibly warm, kind, wise, empathic, creative human being with a brilliant sense of humour - she brought joy to everyone who met her.”

Local musician Kieran Quinn also shared his memories of getting Vanessa involved in one of his Theme Nights at the Hawk's Well. “Vanessa Job loved to sing.

“She was going to sing Memory from Cats with us on the Musicals Theme Night – I’ll never forget rehearsing it with her and being moved both by the power of her voice and by the emotion with which she sang it. She told me that the lyrics spoke to her given the turn her life had taken.

“Illness didn’t allow her take the stage with us that time, but happily she did join us for Theme Night #31 (Stories) last year, where she sang Jolene.

“She was so popular in the Hawk’s Well. Given our close ties with the theatre we couldn’t help but be infected by her personality and enthusiasm every time we brought a show there.

“Her box-office sing-offs are the stuff of legend, and the love and respect that her colleagues had for her was clear, and is a testament to the lady she was.”

Vanessa was pre-deceased by her parents Margaret and Seamus Connolly and her brother Darelle.

She is survived by her husband Octavius, children Katie, Rollo and Bella and grandchild Logan, sisters Estelle and Majella, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A celebration of Vanessa's life was held at the Hawk's Well Theatre last Sunday, followed by sympathising with her family.

A private cremation service followed at Mount Jerome Crematorium in Dublin.