One of the downsides to publishing Newspapers is we often hear bad News first.
It is a reality we deal with on a weekly basis, but every now and again, News of a person’s death hits especially hard. Such was the case when we heard of the passing of Drayton’s Jean Campbell.
There was a wave of sadness that swept through the Newsroom.
She was a tremendous resource for our reporters, always eager to help. For ourselves, we got that sinking feeling in the stomach when someone great has passed – it was that feeling that things won’t be the same again.
It is only natural for us to wonder who will fill these roles now that Jean is gone. Our story on page one speaks to a life of service as a wife, mother, grandmother, great grand-mother and a dizzying list of jobs and volunteer roles that few people could handle. Jean of course handled it all with grace and professionalism.
One could argue she and her contemporaries may be the last generation fully capable of juggling home, career and community. It’s a challenge to us all, to step up and get involved.
The Community News (sister paper to the Advertiser) had already gone to press for the week and the finishing touches were being made to the Advertiser when we heard the sad News of Jean’s passing. For the first time in as long as we can remember, we asked to stop the presses while we reconfigured the front page of the Community News out of respect for her family. Jean was featured in a photo as an active senior, 80 years young.
The irony of course was Jean was very active up until the end. Few would know from her energy and enthusiasm that she was the age she was. Mutual friends were dumbfounded at the News, having spoken with her the day before. Others in disbelief spoke of having plans with her, for one event or another. She was a busy lady who was admired and respected.
While Jean would laugh off the accolades, they are meant with sincerity.
Mapleton has lost an ambassador and a faithful servant in community betterment.
Jean Campbell was Drayton.
