Ruth Southall

I have been at the SU for almost 5 years , Ruth has always been there , making elections better and better year in year , she worked so hard for the students , her team and the SU. She was never afraid to stand up for what she believed in and I will miss that. Even with her illness she was there at work , she kept going like superwoman and she is superwoman. We have lost an important person of our family and she will be greatly missed. Sleep tight Ruth xxxxx

I had the pleasure of knowing Ruth for 3 years and Ruth was such a lovely person. Funny, kind, an expert in what she did, passionate about the SU and the people that she worked with, and always prepared to offer a opinion. I know the impact that Ruth had on some of the students we work with in helping and supporting them as they developed into young adults. It's hard to imagine that when we do emerge out of lockdown that Ruth won't be joining us. I'll miss you. x

I’ve really struggled to put down exactly what I want to say - I’m still not sure I’ve got it right, but maybe I never will. Ruth was a fantastic person to work with and a good friend. From the moment I joined the Union to the moment I left I was always looking for ways that I could give her more opportunities and more responsibility - thing to capitalise on and grow her talents. I’d joke that you didn’t really manage Ruth, you just occasionally nudged her back onto the track because most of the time she knew exactly where she was going and what she needed to do to get there. She was a great confidante, someone who I would bounce ideas off and who could always be relied on to give you her honest (sometimes brutally honest) opinion. I really valued that, and still utilised that strong dose of common sense while working for the Uni. What she did for me I know she did for many others. It is going to be very, very strange going into Portland when we’re back on campus and not being able to pop into Rep Dev to shoot the shit, to joke, to gossip. I know the last few years were a struggle health-wise but she never let that impact the brightness of her personality. That was and remains inspirational. I’m really going to miss her terribly.

I have worked with Ruth throughout her time at the Student Union. She was a force of nature - determined, ambitious and dedicated - as well as being an excellent source of gossip for the sometimes isolated Student Advice team! I will remember her for being as difficult as me when choosing somewhere to eat on our socials, much to Lisa's frustration! She will be missed in the Student Union, but I hope to continue to hear her distinctive laugh, although sadly not in the corridors of Portland, but in my head.

I knew Ruth from my time working in the Union last year and she was a wonderful person to be around - everyone who knew and worked with her recognised her talent, dedication and strength. She was always friendly and welcoming and achieved amazing things. Sending my condolences to Ruth's family and friends and to everyone at the Union, and sending love in these difficult times.

My last conversation with Ruth was in Henderson's Cafe, when Ruth filled me in on her latest diagnosis with the openness and honesty I had come to expect, and the courage and strength that underlay this. We joked about the need to bling up her new walking frame with fairy lights and bunting. I walked away, as I did from so many chats with Ruth, in absolute awe of her. I loved working with her more closely in recent years and I will miss her very much but she will always be an inspiration to me. My heart goes out to Steve and her family and the Student Union family xxx

Ruth was an incredible person, manager and advocate for the Students Union. I respected her determination and strength and 'Ruth'less attitude in making sure everyone students and staff had a voice. She was witty, kind and super quick. I will miss her.

Ruth was truly a wonderful person and one of the people I have most enjoyed working with over the past few years. Ruth was kind and generous, put 'people before program', and yet had a fierce commitment to changing things for the better, and for supporting younger people to be change makers themselves. Her attitude towards life during the course of her illness was an inspiration to me.Thoughts and prayers for all of Ruth's family, and of course for SU colleagues who are no doubt mourning her loss.