Kate Sutton and me at one of our BritMums events
The “online community” is a term we hear a lot. When we use it, we tend to mean a bunch of people who are talking about the same thing on their social media, writing about the same topics on their blogs. Say the words “Facebook friend” and people will likely roll their eyes. But the online community is real community, where we are connected to people in ways that are both close and more diffuse. That was apparent this week when we learned of the death of our friend and online colleague Kate Sutton, who blogged at Wit Wit Woo.
Kate was always ready with a smile, advice and occasionally a hug
Kate was known to many people, who followed her online, watched her videos and chatted with her via tweets, Facebook, Instagram and more. Anyone who met her person couldn’t fail to notice the flame-haired force of nature in the room. “Who is that?” people remember thinking when they first saw her. And because Kate was so friendly and welcoming, they would soon find out. She was someone we counted as a friend as well as one of folks we most liked to read and watch online.
We’ve posted about the announcement on our Facebook page. Please go over and join the conversation to see how she touched people across the community. Kate, you will be missed!
About Jennifer Howze
Jennifer Howze is the Creative Director and co-founder of BritMums. She blogs about family travel at Jenography.net, tweets at @JHowze and Instagrams at @JHowze. Previously, she wrote the Alpha Mummy blog at The Times and as a journalist has contributed to The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, CNN.com, Allure, SELF and Premiere, among others. She won The Maggie Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America for a health article in Seventeen magazine.
Elizabeth (Wander Mum)
Monday 23rd of July 2018
So shocked to hear about Kate. She had such a wonderful presence and spirit. Lovely words Jen. She’ll be missed.
Nadine Hill
Thursday 19th of July 2018
I can't quite believe the I'll never see her updates on my timeline again or have a laugh with her at an event. She was an amazing woman and it is a testament to her that since her untimely passing, a hashtag has been created that we are all embracing - #bemoreWitWitWoo. She really is the ultimate influencer - and this outpouring of love for her just shows that being an amazing blogger is so much more than just 'the numbers / stats'.
I'm incredibly proud to have known her and my heart goes out to her boys, Ben and Dexter.
Her boys set up a fundraising page for Kate's funeral which you can donate at here: https://www.gofundme.com/funeral-fund-for-mum
It says a lot about Kate and how she touched so many lives that her fundraising target has been smashed threefold in one day.
God bless you Kate and her family. You will be sadly missed.
Jen from BritMums
Thursday 19th of July 2018
Nadine, so well put! I love the #bemoreWitWitWoo tag too. Been seeing some amazing tweets and FB updates with it. x
Lisa Jane (Travel Loving Family)
Wednesday 18th of July 2018
Absolutely gutted to hear about Kate. She was truly one in a million. Such a friendly, bubbly and sassy lady. Feel so sorry for her boys;(
Jen from BritMums
Thursday 19th of July 2018
Yes and it's so sudden. I am thankful that another blogging friend reached out when she heard and let us know immediately. It makes you feel more connected to be reading comments and hearing from so many others who feel the same way you do. x