Former Dorset Echo journalist Ruth Meech dies aged 58

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 14:03 · Archive

Ruth Meech, a former Dorset Echo reporter and features writer for 25 years, has died suddenly aged 58 whilst on holiday in Spain.

Ruth Meech, a former reporter and features writer at the Dorset Echo for 25 years, has died suddenly aged 58 whilst on holiday in Spain. The Dorchester resident is survived by her husband Jon and daughter Fran. She joined the Echo as a trainee in 1989 and during her time there covered a wide range of subjects as a news reporter, overseeing health and 'Teen Scene' columns before moving to the features department.

Former colleagues remember Meech as someone whose 'smile lit up the room'. She was known for her witty columns about bringing up her daughter and a side-splitting diary charting her attempts to get into shape with a personal trainer. She regularly threw herself into challenges including cookery school, parasailing lessons, golf lessons from Weymouth Golf Club's professional, and judging a talent competition for Weymouth Pavilion's Christmas pantomime.

Meech had a distinctive writing style that inspired young trainee reporters. When reviewing a Michelin-starred restaurant, she wrote: 'Words have yet to be invented to do the dish justice, but if I have to die by drowning, I want to go in a vat of this soup.' She was small in stature with her trademark unruly curls and was often the biggest and most vibrant personality in the newsroom.

How it is being reported

• Tributes to much-loved former Echo journalist who has died aged 58Loving tributes have been paid to popular former Dorset Echo journalist Ruth Meech, who has died suddenly aged 58Bournemouth Echo · 15 Oct, 13:46
• Tributes to much-loved former Echo journalist who has died aged 58Loving tributes have been paid to popular former Dorset Echo journalist Ruth Meech, who has died suddenly aged 58Dorset Echo · 15 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Ruth Meech · Dorset Echo · Dorchester · Spain · Weymouth Golf Club · Weymouth Pavilion

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