The media fraternity, for the second time in just one week, is again mourning the passing of a veteran member, this time radio giant, Dorothy ‘Dottie Dean’ LaCroix.

LaCroix, a veteran in the media circles for over 45 years, most of which she spent at the RJR communication group, died yesterday at the University Hospital in St Andrew, after losing her battle with cancer.

Last week Sunday, Monica Dias, a long-standing journalist, succumbed to cancer at the Andrews Memorial Hospital and will be eulogised at a funeral service on Wednesday, September 24 beginning at 2:00 pm at the University Chapel, Mona.

LaCroix who was better known by her radio name “Dottie Dean”, had been out of the limelight for sometime, after retiring from RJR.

“She came to RJR in 1961 when RJR was one of two radio stations at the time,” Lester Spaulding, former chairman and CEO of the RJR communications group recalled yesterday upon receiving news of her passing. “She started as an announcer, a highly rated announcer, who worked very hard and was always professional in her approach.”

Spaulding described the late veteran as the consummate professional. “She operated as announcer for a number of years in the early 80s and moved up the ranks and was promoted at one point to programme director and later appointed to the board of directors,” Spaulding said.

Asked what he remembered most about LaCroix, Spaulding highlighted her professional attitude, saying he wished many media practitioners would adopt a similar approach today.

Also joining in tribute to the late radio personality were Fae Ellington and Leonie Forbes, both noted media personalities themselves. “She was in the business long before we came in but she was a person whom we always admired. Her level of professionalism and her thoroughness has helped to establish radio in Jamaica and also women in the industry,” both said in shared sentiment.

Yesterday, her son Kent LaCroix said he felt very humbled by the tributes which described his mother as one of the persons who had helped to revolutionise radio in Jamaica.

“She was a very private person but she was also very professional when it came to carrying out her duties,” said LaCroix.

Dorothy LaCroix is also survived by daughter Diana.