THE tragic death of restaurant owner Sue Addis earlier this month sent shockwaves through the community of Brighton and Hove – and beyond.

The Argus opened an online book of condolence and heartfelt tributes have poured in from people from all walks of life. We are publishing some of them here today and will be publishing more tomorrow.

Sue, 69, who ran Donatello in The Lanes and Pinocchio in New Road, Brighton, was found dead at her Withdean home on January 7.

The Argus: Former Brighton and Hove Albion chairman Dick Knight “Sue holds a special place in my heart, because she became a great friend of mine – and the Albion – when I persuaded her to become my first shirt sponsor back in 1997. “I&rsquFormer Brighton and Hove Albion chairman Dick Knight “Sue holds a special place in my heart, because she became a great friend of mine – and the Albion – when I persuaded her to become my first shirt sponsor back in 1997. “I&rsqu

Former Brighton and Hove Albion chairman Dick Knight

“Sue holds a special place in my heart, because she became a great friend of mine – and the Albion – when I persuaded her to become my first shirt sponsor back in 1997. “I’ll never forget her kindness, understanding and support for the club at the time we needed it most. “She knew how important the club was in this community – and that it must survive. “She was so proud to see the Donatello name on the front of the Albion shirt. “She’s been the club’s and my friend ever since. “As a governor of Dorothy Stringer School and a former trustee of Martlets Hospice, I am also so grateful for Sue’s marvellous fundraising efforts for those organisations, and well aware of her vast amount of other charity work in our city over the years. “She will be a huge loss to the community. I send my deepest sympathy to Pietro, Leo, Mikele and Stefano.”

The Argus: Father Jerome Lloyd, Archbishop of Selsey “Sue was an incredible ambassador for the city’s business community and a great supporter of the city’s voluntary and charity sector. “Personal testimonies to her generosity of spirit as Father Jerome Lloyd, Archbishop of Selsey “Sue was an incredible ambassador for the city’s business community and a great supporter of the city’s voluntary and charity sector. “Personal testimonies to her generosity of spirit as

Father Jerome Lloyd, Archbishop of Selsey

“Sue was an incredible ambassador for the city’s business community and a great supporter of the city’s voluntary and charity sector. “Personal testimonies to her generosity of spirit as well as her incredible fundraising will be her lasting and exemplary legacy for our city community and for the Donatello family name. “A great host, a tour de force for positivism and action, a

supporter of those who give of their time, talent and money for good causes, Sue will be greatly missed by us all. “May she rest in peace.

The Argus: Julien Boast, former chief executive of the Theatre Royal, Brighton, who is pictured here with Sue Addis and Councillor Sue John “My heart goes out to Sue’s sons Leo, Stef and Mikele with their family and close friends. It’s impossible Julien Boast, former chief executive of the Theatre Royal, Brighton, who is pictured here with Sue Addis and Councillor Sue John “My heart goes out to Sue’s sons Leo, Stef and Mikele with their family and close friends. It’s impossible

Julien Boast, former chief executive of the Theatre Royal, Brighton, who is pictured here with Sue Addis and Councillor Sue John

“My heart goes out to Sue’s sons Leo, Stef and Mikele with their family and close friends. It’s impossible to think of a world without Sue Addis. She was a dear friend to Andrew and me with many fun and laughter memories over the years. Her charity work was legendary, but she did much more than we all knew, privately without a public gaze. We’re heartbroken to lose such a dear, dear friend.”

The Argus: Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Festival and Brighton Dome “Sue was an amazingly warm-hearted woman with an incredible ability to get things done. “Sue was a loyal patron of Brighton Dome and Festival and a generous supporter of tAndrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Festival and Brighton Dome “Sue was an amazingly warm-hearted woman with an incredible ability to get things done. “Sue was a loyal patron of Brighton Dome and Festival and a generous supporter of t

Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Festival and Brighton Dome

“Sue was an amazingly warmhearted woman with an incredible ability to get things done. “Sue was a loyal patron of Brighton Dome and Festival and a generous supporter of the arts and charities right across the city. “Everyone at Brighton Dome and Festival is shocked and saddened at this tragic news and send our deepest condolences to Sue’s family.”

The Argus: Former Brighton and Hove Albion player Kerry Mayo “I’m absolutely devastated by this news. “I’ve known Sue and her family for more than 25 years and regularly eat at Donatello’s with my family and friends. “We are alwFormer Brighton and Hove Albion player Kerry Mayo “I’m absolutely devastated by this news. “I’ve known Sue and her family for more than 25 years and regularly eat at Donatello’s with my family and friends. “We are alw

Former Brighton and Hove Albion player Kerry Mayo

“I’m absolutely devastated by this news. “I’ve known Sue and her family for more than 25 years and regularly eat at Donatello’s with my family and friends. “We are always welcomed by Sue and her boys with the biggest smiles when we arrive. “We have done lots of charity and footballrelated events in the past and I have many fond memories of Sue. “She was so kind and loving to all who knew her. “Sue will be missed immensely by all and our thoughts are with Sue’s family during these sad times.”

The Argus: Former EastEnders actress Michelle Collins, pictured here with Sue in 2006 “I am so shocked and saddened to hear this tragic news about Sue. “I have been friends with Pietro, Sue and the boys for many many years. My heart goes out to all ofFormer EastEnders actress Michelle Collins, pictured here with Sue in 2006 “I am so shocked and saddened to hear this tragic news about Sue. “I have been friends with Pietro, Sue and the boys for many many years. My heart goes out to all of

Former EastEnders actress Michelle Collins, pictured here with Sue in 2006

“I am so shocked and saddened to hear this tragic news about Sue. “I have been friends with Pietro, Sue and the boys for many many years. My heart goes out to all of you. She was an incredible lady and this is big loss to her family, to all the staff and to the people of Brighton whom she loved.”

The Argus: Sir Peter Field, Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex “I had the pleasure of knowing Sue Addis since the 1970s when she and Pietro ran the Market Wine Bar next to my office in Market Street on the edge of The Lanes. “In those days the area was a sSir Peter Field, Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex “I had the pleasure of knowing Sue Addis since the 1970s when she and Pietro ran the Market Wine Bar next to my office in Market Street on the edge of The Lanes. “In those days the area was a s

Sir Peter Field, Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex

“I had the pleasure of knowing Sue Addis since the 1970s when she and Pietro ran the Market Wine Bar next to my office in Market Street on the edge of The Lanes. “In those days the area was a small village with our own postman, our own milkman and even our own local vicar – Holy trinity Church (now Fabrica) in Ship Street. “Sue was always passionate about The Lanes and many will attest to her battles to preserve and invigorate their unique character, at the same time she fought to keep them (and the city) economically vibrant. “She was an astute businesswoman who really understood the hospitality market place and over the years, mostly in a very quiet way, she supported many charitable and voluntary causes she felt equally passionate about. “I particularly admired her support and concern for the homeless and lonely where for many years she supplied meals and comfort through a Halo group in Kemp Town. “At the same time she supported many homeless-facing charities like Brighton Housing Trust. “Sadly, the whole city of Brighton and Hove has lost a dear friend and a totally committed supporter. She really was a pillar of our local community and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this very sad time.”

The Argus: Phil Graves, director of Brighton property company Graves Jenkins and, like Sue, a big supporter of The Argus Appeal “So very sad to hear of Sue’s death. She was a very generous lady who helped numerous charities and was a stalwart of the ArgPhil Graves, director of Brighton property company Graves Jenkins and, like Sue, a big supporter of The Argus Appeal “So very sad to hear of Sue’s death. She was a very generous lady who helped numerous charities and was a stalwart of the Arg

Phil Graves, director of Brighton property company Graves Jenkins and, like Sue, a big supporter of The Argus Appeal

“So very sad to hear of Sue’s death. She was a very generous lady who helped numerous charities and was a stalwart of the Argus Appeal. “I have known both Sue and Pietro for over 30 years during which they both became part of the city culture. “RIP Sue.”

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