Tributes to ‘fearless’ journalist
THE GAP-TOOTHED smile and twinkle in her eyes were unforgettable. Vibrant, funny, glamorous, and kind, she was also a fearless and gifted journalist.
Diane Cooke, the former Women’s Editor of the Manchester Evening News, who has died aged 63, possessed a potent mix of fizzing charm, and huge talent. She had empathy whether interviewing showbiz royalty or the grieving mother of a young woman who took her own life in Styal Prison.
During her 14 years at the M.E.N. she was a powerhouse who led by example and a mentor to many. Her charisma opened doors when hunting stories. Her career was studded with awards - feature writer of the year in the North West in 2004 and 2014, in the O2 awards, and Guardian Media Group Regional Feature Writer,in 2003.
She showed immense resilience, living with cancer since 2014, yet continuing a normal life, including weekly ten mile walks. She had an impressive career working for major regional newspapers in the North West, Woman’s Own in London, and doing public relations for the country’s most famous TV soap, Coronation Street. Over the last few years she hosted students from all over the world - from Brazil to Saudi Arabia - at her home for the last 20 years in Heaton Chapel. They affectionately called her “mum”, grateful for how she changed their lives, often giving them a space to live openly as the people they wanted to be. Many had vowed to return.
Helen Tither, a colleague, said: “Cookie was the fearless beating heart of the features desk. So quick with just the right quip to have us all in stitches, so quick to write just the right words for a heartfelt feature or scathing column. A bloody awesome woman all round. She always said it like it was.” Janet Reeder, Diane’s best friend, and former fashion editor at the M.E.N., said: “I loved her. She was beautiful, funny, honest, and brave, and when she wrote, and she wrote brilliantly. Diane leaves two children, Sebastian Menedez, 33, a Michelin-trained chef, and Elisa Menedez, 30, a journalist and producer with ITV News. Diane’s husband, and the children’s father, Carlos Menedez, died 15 years ago, taking his own life. Diane met Carlos, who was from Asturias in northern Spain, while on holiday in Tenerife. Showing typical courage and resilience she wrote a column about the impact of her husband’s death on her children - just three weeks after he died. Elisa said: “Mum was an incredibly talented journalist and her writing could make you laugh out loud or cry. Her empathy and care for others shone through and interviewees loved her for her ability to understand their stories and show compassion.
“She used to take me to jobs and photoshoots when I was a child, and I saw the emotional bond she often made with interviewees. Watching her in action was a privilege and inspired me to become a journalist, with a passion for social justice.”
Watching her in action was a privilege and inspired me to become a journalist Daughter Elisa Mendez