Another Breakfast, Another Fallen Champion

I think death's a fine idea. I'm not suicidal but I wouldn't mind being dead.

-June Callwood

It's a profound sense of loss, this announcement of the death of June Callwood. As a political activist, mother and journalist her contributions to Canada’s intellectual fabric, its sense of justice and its political discourse have been profound. Her energetic inspiration will be irreplaceable. My thoughts are with her family, and really all of us, today. They don't build 'em like that anymore.

She requested no funeral or fuss in her memory during that last interview on CBC last month. So instead how about a quick public thank you for her lifelong commitment to defending universal human rights. For her implacable energy, for her sense of equality and for her skeptical pragmatism in that last interview when, asked about what comes next, said as-a-matter-of-factly, "There's nothing next. That's alright... what you get is a life.... That's what you get and you don't need anything else."

In all that she did, her community was her inspiration and also the benefactor. June’s humour, love for humanity and courageous honesty will remain beacons of hope in this chaotic world.

jp