 |
| Donna Morrissey |
Donna Morrissey, who served as spokeswoman for the Boston Archdiocese during the sex abuse scandal, died May 22 from complications related to COVID-19. She was 51.
Most recently, Morrissey was spokeswoman for the east division of the American Red Cross blood services unit.
She was deployed during disasters and mass casualty events such as Superstorm Sandy, Sandy Hook, Boston Marathon bombing, Pulse Night Club shooting and Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Morrissey "never hesitated to do whatever she could to help those in need during their most devastating moments, whether that was a hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on," according to a statement from the American Red Cross.
After launching her career as a reporter at WBZ-TV in Boston, Morrisssey shifted to Regan Communications, where she worked from 1998-2001.
George Regan called Morrissey "a tornado-like force who helped make Regan Communications what it is today."
She "had panache and duende" and was a trailblazer for Boston journalists successfully crossing over to PR.
"Our relationship has always been that of brother-sister as opposed to boss-employee," said Regan in a statement. "When Donna approached me with an opportunity to work for the Archdiocese of Boston, I encouraged her to do it, not realizing two months later the Globe Spotlight series and Donna’s work would make her a worldwide figure in public relations."
Kassie Canter, a media and entertainment PR veteran, died October 24 in New York. She was 67.
Leo Pearlstein, the “king of culinary PR,” died on Sept. 10 in Los Angeles at the age of 104.
Tim Metz, who joined Hill & Knowlton in 1989 after a 23-year career at the Wall Street Journal died Aug. 15. He was 86.
Bill Murray, who had been with MikeWorldWide for 35 years (most recently as EVP/national director, public affairs), has passed away at 67 after a battle with cancer.
Peter Costiglio, a top corporate communications executive for more than 40 years, died March 17 after a long-battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He was 76.
