Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Jean Morrison, publisher of the Napanee Beaver and Picton Gazette passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, surrounded by family at the age of 97.
Jean Morrison, (nee Bier), was born in New Hamburg, On. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario and taught math at Napanee District Secondary School before marrying Earl Morrison, who was then a reporter at the Kingston Whig-Standard.
Together in 1953, she and her husband fulfilled what she described as a ‘journalist’s dream’, acquiring the Napanee Beaver from the Templeton family.
In 1965 they purchased the Napanee Post-Express-once known as the Deseronto Post-to become the lone community newspaper in the area.
In 1973 they adopted three children-Christopher-aged 13, Tracey-aged 11 and Leslie-aged nine. She’d go on to be grandmother to six as well as a great-grandmother in 2018.
In 1977 the Morrisons purchased the Picton Gazette, the oldest continuously published community newspaper in Canada, printed since 1830.
With the unexpected death of her husband in 1978, Jean continued as owner and publisher of the Napanee and Picton papers.
Her career in the newspaper industry took her all over the world to International Press Conventions, where she met many heads of states including John Diefenbaker, Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela and Indira Gandhi.
Here at home she spent many wonderful moments on the Napanee River, where she was delighted by the wildlife and changing light of each season. She enjoyed strolls along the Napanee River and outings to Springside Park. Her hobbies included curling, golf, skiing and music as a long-time member of the Napanee and District Curling Club, Napanee Golf and Country Club and the former Nacona Ski Club. She sang in the Grace United Church Choir and played clarinet in the Napanee Silver Band.
She valued her community and was an active board member for many local organizations and a proud supporter of many charities in Napanee, the County of Lennox and Addington and beyond. She was an integral and beloved member of the Napanee Community.
She will be fondly remembered for her outgoing, friendly nature, her adventurous spirit and her remarkable contributions and legacy.
The family will receive family and friends at the Wartman Funeral Home, Napanee Chapel on Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 6-8 p.m. and Oct. 16 from 12-1 p.m. Funeral service to follow in the chapel at 1 p.m. on Oct. 16. Interment at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Family and Children Services.