I've just heard from Sam (zpr) that Sue Brookes, the mother of Australian Guitar Hero representative Joel, has passed away.

Sue was a wonderful woman. Some of you might remember her from when she came to support Joel at the WCG Nationals for 2008 and 2009. She also came along with the team to Cologne, spending most of the trip wandering around with myself, moonGlaDe, James Davey (one of the Sydney Underground players for PGR3) and Sam. Sue was also the team captain for the Australian contingent to Chengdu in 2009, and I'm sure the players that went there will have their own memories of Joel's mother.

My memories of Sue was one of slight hesitation. When I first heard she would be accompanying the team to Germany, I understood why that would be the case, having met Sue at the qualifiers for Guitar Hero at SGL earlier that month.

My boss felt a little sorry for the problems that might have happened with Sue coming to Germany, but none of his fears ever eventuated. Sue was one of the nicest, funniest people I've met in a long time. Not only did she get along well with everyone in the team (particularly James, since they both finally had someone else to smoke with!) but she was a pleasure to travel with. Sue had a cheeky wit and was just as comfortable wandering around Cologne as the rest of us; she wasn't an inconvenience, but a part of the group.

The trip to Germany, for those that spent a lot of time in Sue's company, was improved by her presence. Hearing the news of her death is a horrible thing, as it removes a wonderful woman from the planet - whose time has come far too early.

If any of you have Joel on your Facebook, or have his e-mail, I'm sure it would mean a great deal if you could pass on your sympathies. Sue and Joel always got along very well, and Joel (and his younger brother Stephen) will no doubt be grateful for any level of support during what will be one of the most difficult times of his life.

-alex/dippa