KINGSTON, Jamaica – Students and staff of the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) are today mourning the loss of Communication and Public Relations lecturer Charmaine Henry.

Henry died in the Nuttall Memorial Hospital in Kingston this morning, after a period of illness.

A release issued by CARIMAC describes Henry as “an energetic and engaging member of the CARIMAC community.

“In the course of her academic interactions, as both student and lecturer, she was equally loved by her colleagues as well as her many former students,” the release read. “She greeted everyone in a warm and sincere manner, reflecting a personality that was compassionate and outgoing.”

Director of CARIMAC, Professor Hopeton Dunn, has expressed condolence to Henry’s family and to all who mourn her untimely passing.

Since news of her death started circulating today, students have taken to social media to express their shock and grief at her passing.

“I cannot believe that I’ve had the blessing to have met such a wonderful person, a wonderful lecturer, and in such a short time I have lost her,” said Jamair Johnson, a first-year journalism student in a post to Instagram. “We all have lost someone dear to us when you passed. Rest in peace Miss Henry, you are in a better place. We will miss you.”

Henry was a lecturer and tutor at CARIMAC from 2005 until late last year when she fell ill. She taught the courses: Communication Culture and Caribbean Society, Understanding the Media, Communication Analysis and Planning, Public Relations, Managerial Communication, and Leadership and Team Building.

She was pursuing her Doctoral Studies in Educational Psychology at the time of her passing.

Candiece Knight