A report from Earl Moxam
Tributes have been coming in following the death of distinguished broadcaster, journalist and playwright Barbara Gloudon.
Mrs Gloudon died on Wednesday night in hospital.
Having just left high school, Mrs Gloudon entered the field of journalism in her late teens when she was hired by The Gleaner.
She was the moving force behind the creation of a supplement, the Children’s Own newspaper.
She did a social affairs feature using the name Kitty Kingston as well as her popular Stella Seh column.
Her last major role at The Gleaner was as editor of The Star, after which she left the newspaper.
Mrs Gloudon served for a time as Deputy Director of Tourism in the 1970s, before taking up her long-running stint as host of Radio Jamaica’s, Hotline.
On Thursday, Gary Allen, CEO of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, of which Radio Jamaica is a part, expressed condolence to Mrs Gloudon's family.
Noting her tremendous contributions to both The Gleaner and Radio Jamaica, Mr. Allen described her as "the consummate RJRGLEANER product as she worked at an excellent level and for long periods in both arms of the organisation before we came together."
"We appreciate the foundation that she has laid for us to build on, and we will continue to do our best to make sure that Mrs. G’s dream of us continuing to reach out to people all over Jamaica and to do excellent journalism is one that we fulfill,” he said.
George Davis, President of the Press Association of Jamaica, recalled Mrs Gloudon's multifaceted life in media and beyond.
"The history of local journalism, media and theatre is multilayered. It's rich. Many of these layers, much of that richness was built, was added through the work of ‘Miss G’. She was inspirational, ferocious and dignified in her journalism. Theater benefitted from her flair for the avant garde. 'Miss G' will be missed, but the monument that is her work, her life's work will never be buried by the sands of time."
Broadcaster and actress Fae Ellington remembered her for her “witticisms and humour” as well as cultural contributions to the Little Theatre movement of the National Pantomime.
While acknowledging that it must be “painful at this time”, Ms Ellington insisted Mrs Gloudon would have wanted her immediate and extended families to “celebrate her life...and not mourn”.
Barbara Gloudon was also well known for her involvement in the work of the Anglican Church. Retired Bishop of Kingston Robert Thompson recalled her invaluable contribution to the life of the church.
“In 2018 the Diocese honoured her for her outstanding service in directing the communication arm of the Church’s mission for over four decades. She has served as consultant to four diocesan bishops. Barbara's life and passion for service in the church and to our national life was shaped undoubtedly by her love for Christ, the church and her passionate love for Jamaica,” he said.
In a tweet, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Mrs Gloudon was known for her no-nonsense analysis and commentary, while Opposition Leader Mark Golding described Mrs Gloudon as an iconic journalist who won the hearts of Jamaicans with her common sense and balanced reasoning.
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