When I first became aware of Lissa Joseph I was immediately impressed with her depth of knowledge, her sharp wit, awareness of cultural and current affairs and her fearlessness.
She was just out of school and doing a Youth Radio Show on Radio St. Lucia at the time.
Lissa was in complete control of the subject of the day and took a lead role in driving the conversation into unexpected territory. It was not business as usual with Lissa.
She loved a good laugh. Lissa had an overactive sense of humor and was able to spot a joke long before the punchline was delivered. Most times she had an alternative zinger just in case the intended mic drop fell flat.
I worked directly with Lissa at Calabash TV in the News Department. That’s when I saw up close and personal Lissa’s commitment to her craft, her skills, abilities and instincts for news gathering and storytelling.
Lissa lived and breathed [up to her final moments] current affairs. She was a well-researched and thoroughly prepared interviewer/talk show host. Lissa was quite competent at handling the twists and turns, the jab and counter jabs that come with probing and sometimes feather-ruffling interactions.
Lissa enjoyed her craft and would not be sidetracked or distracted from her true calling as a storyteller, conversationalist and writer.
She was committed to her family particularly her sister Chelsea. Our condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances.
She’s gone way too soon.
We at Calabash TV and All Biz Limited and the entire media fraternity have lost a battle tested SOLDIER. She was a fighter who thrived in the trenches on the frontline of journalism in Saint Lucia and the Eastern Caribbean.
It’s a painful and personal loss to us at CTV and the fraternity.
Rest in Peace Lissa.
In addition, numerous media outlets and former colleagues have shared heartfelt tributes to Lissa, highlighting her warmth, affection, and status as a “wonderful and comforting soul sister.”
The Office of the Prime Minister, on behalf of PM Pierre, issued a statement that unequivocally acknowledges the significant loss of veteran journalist Lissa V. Joseph.
It reads: “In light of her untimely passing, the Office of the Prime Minister extends its condolences to her family and the entire media fraternity.”
May she rest in peace.