An award-winning former regional daily women’s editor described as a ‘journalistic force of nature’ by former colleagues has died aged 63.

Diane Cooke, left, was women’s editor of the Manchester Evening News from 1993 until 2007 and later went on to work for the Lancashire Telegraph between 2013 and 2015.

Described by her former paper as “the fearless beating heart of the features desk,” Diane died from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and pneumonia on 14th January following a nine-year battle with cancer.

During her career she was the recipient of several awards including North West feature writer of the year in 2004, with the MEN, and again in 2014 with the LT.

Her career successes came in spite of personal tragedy when her husband, Carlos Menendez, took his own life 15 years ago.

The couple had met while Diane was holidaying in Tenerife and they went on to have two children, Sebastian, a Michelin-trained chef, and Elisa, a journalist and producer with ITV News.

An alumnus of the pioneering journalism course at Richmond College, Sheffield in the 1970s, Diane’s first job was at the Irlam and Cadishead Guardian, a long-defunct sister title of the Warrington Guardian.

As well as the MEN and LT, she also worked for the Liverpool Daily Post and Woman’s Own magazine as a sub, Granada TV as a press officer, Staffordshire University as a journalism lecturer, and Cheshire Life as a columnist.

Best-known at the MEN for her weekly column “Feisty and Fearless,” she once accompanied Coronation Street actor Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth) on a visit to the Vatican to meet Pope John Paul II.

Later in her career she went on to launch her own websites The Natter and the Best Life Project, had a spell as a Slimming World consultant and wrote about mental health for NHS Merseycare Foundation Trust, as well as ghost writing books.

Writing in the MEN, former colleague Neal Keeling described Diane as a possessing “a potent mix of fizzing charm, and huge talent. She had empathy whether interviewing showbiz royalty or the grieving mother of a young woman who took her own life in Styal Prison.

“During her 14 years at the MEN she was a powerhouse who led by example and a mentor to many. Her charisma opened doors when hunting stories and big interviews. But underlying her news nous, was, as her daughter, says “an unwavering commitment to social justice”.

Helen Tither, another former MEN colleague, said: “Cookie was the fearless beating heart of the features desk. So quick with just the right quip to have us all in stitches, so quick to write just the right words for a heartfelt feature or scathing column.

“A bloody awesome woman all round. She always said it like it was. And that’s why we all loved her.”

Best friend and former MEN fashion editor Janet Reeder, now style editor with Cheshire Life, added: “I loved her. She was beautiful, funny, honest, and brave, and when she wrote, and she wrote brilliantly, she told it as it is. She was everything to her wonderful children Elisa and Seb and they were to her.”

And former MEN colleague, Paul Ogden, said: “It is unbelievable that such a force of nature should leave us so young. Diane was an amazingly lovely person – a fierce and brilliant writer, funny, witty, caring, with the wickedest laugh. A true MEN legend.”

Daughter Elisa said: “Mum was an incredibly talented journalist and her writing could make you laugh out loud or cry. Her empathy and care for others shone through and interviewees loved her for her ability to understand their stories and show compassion.

“She used to take me to jobs and photoshoots when I was a child, and I saw the emotional bond she often made with interviewees. Watching her in action was a privilege and inspired me to become a journalist, with a passion for social justice. She was the best role model and career advisor I could’ve ever asked for.”

Diane is survived by her children Elisa and Sebastian, mum Kath, sister Carolyn and brother Conrad.

Funeral details have yet to be announced.