Dickson's story a reminder to cherish your loved ones.

The first thing I did after we selected a winner for the 2001 Nellie Cashman award was call my mother.

The last person we interviewed as judges was Maureen Dickson - who ultimately was chosen as the winner. We had postponed her interview from a week earlier because a round of chemotherapy left her unable to lift her head off the pillow.

Probably everyone in the room that afternoon was well aware of their own mortality as we asked Dickson how she grew her company, what her biggest challenges were and if there was a time when she thought her business might not make it.

Sadly, Dickson died between the judges' decision and this week's Nellie Cashman …