Shocking tragedy
The UK poker scene was left reeling this week from the unexpected death of one of its leading ladies, Ellie Nixon. Her heartbroken husband, the popular UK pro player and coach Jamie, broke the news on Facebook with the following message:
“Don’t really know how to put this into words but our wonderful Ellie Nixon died unexpectedly last Saturday.
“She was adored, looked up to and cherished by so many and we are all devastated. She lit up every room she walked into and everyone loved her.
will always remember her for being the most amazing, kind and caring person we could ever wish for”
“We were so lucky to have had her in our lives and we will always remember her for being the most amazing, kind and caring person we could ever wish for. She was the most incredible role model for Charlie and Ruby and she took so much joy and pride in helping them become the brilliant young people they are today.
“There is so much we all want to say to celebrate her life as she made so many people happy and we’ll do this in time, once we come terms with things.
“As a family we would like some privacy at this very difficult time and we will let people know about funeral arrangements as and when we know them.”
Friends remember
Almost immediately, tributes started to pour in for the universally beloved Ellie, none more heartfelt than that of Jamie’s fellow Grosvenor pro Katie Swift:
“Totally shocked and saddened that my lovely friend has passed away far too soon. My heart goes out to all Ellie’s family, Jamie, Charlie, Ruby and closest of friends. I can’t even imagine what you’re all thinking and feeling. You have my sincere condolences.
“I’ve been trying to process this, but am finding it incredibly difficult. We had so many more adventures to go on, memories to make, fun times to have and laughter to share.
all my memories of you I am going to treasure”
“I’m going to miss seeing you and sending our random funny group chats that only made sense to us. All my memories of you I am going to treasure, there were plenty and never a dull moment.
“You were one in a billion babe. Kind, considerate, selfless, great company, loyal, loving, supportive, smart and a natural beauty inside and out, with a wonderful sense of humour that made us click from the off.
“I absolutely adored you. Our special square will never be the same again. You will be missed so much.
Heartbroken. RIP darling. Xx”
A brilliant student
I first encountered Ellie almost a decade ago when I was coaching for a UK based stable. I already knew Jamie from that role and got to know him better from hanging with him at live events. He actually gave me a lift from Brighton to Nottingham for the Party Millions I ended up final tabling. So, when he told me his girlfriend was also on the stable books and down for coaching, I was intrigued. In the first few minutes of the first session, I was already impressed by her intelligence, general poker brain, and also her endearing personality.
had a wonderful way of putting people at ease and a subversive sense of humor
As you’d expect from someone who studied Geophysics at Uni, she had a keen analytical brain. She also had a wonderful way of putting people at ease and a subversive sense of humor. I remember at the end of our session, she said something to the effect that I had a great way of explaining things, before adding jokingly: “much better than Jamie.”
Nobody knows better than me how hard it can be to explain anything to your partner.
After that, I saw Ellie on poker trips with Jamie. My wife, who despises almost all “poker people,” as she calls them, instantly took to Ellie, Jamie, and Jamie’s mother. In tragic times like these, it’s important not just to remember the person we loved who has passed, but also those closest to them most affected by the loss. As Katie Swift so eloquently said, our heart goes out to all of Ellie’s family, Jamie, Charlie, Ruby and closest friends. They deserve whatever support we can give them. Jamie suffered the loss of his mother recently too, so I can only imagine what he’s going through.
There are people you hear a lot about, and it’s easy to think they’re popular and beloved, but they’re not really when you look closer. And there are others you hear a lot less about, but everyone who knows them loves them, so they are truly popular and beloved. Ellie Nixon was one of the latter.
RIP Ellie. Everyone who knew you well adored you. Death is part of life, but I don’t think I’m alone in feeling this one is particularly hard to take.