regentrude Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 (edited) Chair's article in the annual department newsletter must acknowledge the death of a colleague. Would you lead with this news or lead with something good? UPDATE: vote looks unanimous and confirms my feeling. Thanks all. Edited January 14, 2018 by regentrude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt. Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 I picked "lead with acknowledging the death" -- I think anything else would sound horribly like an afterthought. However, ideally, I think two briefer articles would be most appropriate: one specifically 'in memorial' like an obituary, and another completely distinct 'ordinary update' article. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 13, 2018 Author Share Posted January 13, 2018 I picked "lead with acknowledging the death" -- I think anything else would sound horribly like an afterthought. However, ideally, I think two briefer articles would be most appropriate: one specifically 'in memorial' like an obituary, and another completely distinct 'ordinary update' article. A full length obituary is included on another page. This is just for the "message from the boss" summary of the year. Major accomplishments are also given separate articles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Beloved or big presence, lead with it. Regular colleague, mention respectfully and affectionately towards the end. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 13, 2018 Author Share Posted January 13, 2018 Beloved or big presence, lead with it. Regular colleague, mention respectfully and affectionately towards the end. He was beloved and big presence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 He was beloved and big presence. I think I’d start with that then. Let people have their moment of shock and sadness and then focus on good news. Putting him first gives him that honor, and I do think putting it later makes him sound a little like an afterthought. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 13, 2018 Author Share Posted January 13, 2018 Thanks, all. This confirms exactly what I had thought. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Another vote to lead with the death announcement. If this was a colleague of yours, Regentrude, I'm very sorry. :grouphug: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalsummer Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 I don't know that I've ever seen an absolutely universal poll on these forums. Remarkable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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