The following is a message from Caroline Medwell, OCNA's Executive Director, regarding the passing of Jean Morrison. Jean, the longtime publisher of both the Picton Gazette and Napanee Beaver, passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on Sunday, October 6, 2019. 

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Jean Morrison a few years ago, at a Silver Quill Award ceremony for one of her staff, and subsequently learned more about her and her amazing accomplishments when she received an Honourary Recognition award at the Toronto Ad Club Newspaper Day in 2016.

 

Jean Morrison was an integral, active and admired leader in the community newspaper business for many years, a long time member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association and the International Press who also served as President of the OCNA in 1987.

 

Her interests and contributions were many and she is an inspiration to all of us who are part of the community newspaper world.

 

On a personal note, her success at the famous annual Montebello Curling Bonspiel compelled me to compete there one year. I discovered that Jean Morrison is quite literally a legend and a hero at that club – her winning streak as skip taking on mythic dimensions.

 

Apparently she was pretty impressive on the dance floor as well.

 

Mrs. Morrison will be greatly missed by her family and her community.

- Caroline Medwell