R.I.P. Jane Crosier
Ottawa literary broadcasting icon, and award-winning high school librarian.
Jane Crosier was host of the excellent Literary Landscape radio show on CKCU 93.1 FM for 12 years. She worked tirelessly to promote local authors, and to foster a love of literature in her listeners and students. I never met Jane, however, I experienced her generosity. She was among the very first people to provide support and encouragement to me when I first launched my radio program The Biblio File.
This from her son Matthew Crosier, CKCU Station Manager:
Jane Ann Crosier (Rioux) died March 2 2009 age 61 after a heartbreaking battle with cancer. Beloved wife to Peter, loving mother to Matthew (Valerie) and Benjamin. Devoted grandmother to: Catherine, Alexander and Tessa. Daughter to Ray and Dora Rioux. Sister to: Raymond, Francis, Carol and Nancy. Lovingly remembered by the Crosier and Rioux families.
Born and raised in Port Hope, a graduate of York University Winters College. She worked for the OCDSB for more than 30 years at Glen Ogilvie, Gloucester High, Colonel By and Sir Wilfrid Laurier. An inveterate gift giver and unrepentant doer of good deeds. Jane loved gardening, her felines, skating on the canal and preparing wonderful family events. "getting out and doing something". The service will take place at Saturday March 7 @ 1:30pm, in the Library of Gloucester High School, 2060 Ogilvie Road, Gloucester, Ontario, K1J 7N8
The reception will follow starting @ 3:30pm. The reception will take place in Kanata. For details call (613) 552-1832 or e-mail familycrosier@gmail.com
This from the citation for a CKCU volunteer award she received in 2001:
"The Literary Landscape" aired every Thursday from 6:30pm-7:00pm. Each week Jane interviewed authors, poets and people connected with the literary world. Literature was a life long passion for Jane. As a young person she would spend her hard earned money on dog-eared paperbacks at the local Flea Market. Later she would further that interest by specializing in Literature while attending University. She passed on her love of books to her two sons and to thousands of young people who have frequented the high school libraries where she has worked for [thirty] years. Jane put countless hours into the CKCU fund raising drives, regularly ‘cooking up delicious treats for her fellow volunteers on the early morning Saturday phone shifts. And through it all she was also a pretty good mother to a couple of wayward souls.’
R.I.P. Jane.
"Literature is my Utopia. Here I am not disfranchised. No barrier of the senses shuts me out from the sweet, gracious discourse of my book-friends. They talk to me without embarrassment or awkwardness." Helen Keller
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March 5th, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Deeply saddened to read of Jane’s death. A good friend and tremendous support to the writing community, she has been greatly missed by all her fans of CKCU’s Literary Landscape in these past months of her illness. I shall remember Jane with respect and affection and would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to everyone in her family.
Sincerely,
Betty
March 11th, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Hello,
Thank you for the lovely tribute Nigel. And thank you Betty for your lovely note.
I really appreciate it.
Matthew Crosier (son of Jane Crosier)