Monday 31 October 2011

43/44 Jean & Mrs. K.

A salute to The 62, or so

Life at the Toronto Sun would not have been as whole without the ladies on the switchboard, including Day Oners Jean Osborne and Margaret Kmiciewicz, aka Mrs. K.

Reporters depended on  them daily for incoming and outgoing calls from and to people around the world, often when time counted and deadlines were near.

But when the pace was slower and there was time to chat, Jean and Margaret and others who followed were always at reception with advice and stories to tell.

Rather than being shuffled off to a dark closet to work their magic, the switchboard ladies were always an integral part of the newsroom. At 333, they were the first to greet people to the newsroom with a smile and candy.

Margaret, who was switchboard chief, retired from the Sun and died Dec. 13, 2008, at Providence Centre. She was 87. Sun employees had only fond memories.

Jean also retired and if you are in touch with her, give her our regards.

1 comment:

  1. Jean passed on August 19, 2014 and below is the obituary that appeared in the Toronto Sun along with a photo of her wearing her phone headset:

    OSBORNE, Jean - July 6, 1930 – August 19, 2014 Passed peacefully away at Hillsdale Terraces in Oshawa after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Predeceased by her husband Raymond. Beloved mother of Richard (Susan), Ken (Donna) and Joseph. Most cherished grandmother of Shannon (Craig) Handsor, Jennifer (Richard) Shallow, Jason and Richard. Loving great-grandmother of Jordan, Kobe, Justin, Jake and Luke. Family and friends are invited to Barnes Memorial Funeral Home, 5295 Thickson Road North, Whitby on Friday August 22 for visitation between 1:30 and 3:00. The visitation will be followed by a service at 3:00 in the chapel.

    Jean loved her job as a switchboard operator at the Toronto Sun and took pride in being a “Day Oner”, having been a contributing employee since the very first edition of the Toronto Telegraph until her retirement from the Toronto Sun. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jean’s name to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

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