VETERAN broadcaster and university lecturer Alma Mock Yen died on Wednesday, extending the grief in which the local media fraternity and Jamaica in general were plunged on Tuesday after the sudden passing of sports broadcaster, producer, and film-maker Donald Oliver.

Mock Yen, 97, had been ailing for some time, and her passing triggered a flood of tributes, many of which recognised and praised her for her invaluable contribution to broadcast journalism.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange described Mock Yen as “a woman of class who distinguished herself in all of what she did for the many years that she spent in public life”.

Grange noted Mock Yen’s involvement in the arts as a dancer who had her own dance troupe, her career in broadcast journalism, as well as the many years she spent as head of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Mona Campus Radio Unit.

“Her contributions were instrumental in shaping the landscape of media education and practice in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean,” Grange said.

She also highlighted Mock Yen’s role as one of the pioneering women in politics through her contribution as a parish councillor for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

“Outstandingly, she was one of the youngest school teachers on record, teaching English language and literature at Merl Grove High School at age 14,” the minister stated.

Grange also noted that Mock Yen was a recipient of the Musgrave Medal and the Order of Distinction, who “mentored generations of journalists, instilling in them the values of integrity, excellence, and dedication”.

The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ), in its tribute, described Mock Yen as a distinguished broadcaster whose voice, intellect, and professionalism helped shape Jamaican broadcast journalism for decades.

“Alma Mock Yen was a respected and pioneering figure in the media landscape, known for her calm authority, incisive interviewing style, and unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity. Through her work she set high standards for broadcast journalism and served as a role model for generations of journalists, particularly women entering the profession,” the PAJ said.

Former head of KLAS FM Neville James described Mock Yen as a legend.

“Our association spanned many years. When I worked at The UWI she persuaded me to contribute a weekly programme on editorial opinion, What the Eds said, to the then University Radio.

“Many years later, with the advent of KLAS, she served on an advisory board for the station which met once a quarter and was invaluable in making suggestions on our programming,” James shared.

“Hers has been an outstanding innings and her influence on Jamaican media will live on through the many practitioners she helped to train at the then Carimac,” he said.,

House Speaker and Member of Parliament for St Andrew East Rural Juliet Holness noted Mock Yen’s contribution to broadcasting and as the JLP councillor for the Harbour View Division from 1981 to 1986.

“She lived a long and impactful life, dedicating her voice and service to public communication and community representation. Passing at the age of 97, she leaves behind a legacy of contribution, leadership, and service to Jamaica,” Holness said.

Renowned journalist David Geddes said, “Alma Mock Yen epitomised the adage ‘the word is mightier than the sword’.

“She moulded minds and was never hesitant to make calls to her past students (and all of us others) to make corrections or commendations,” he said, adding that her charge would always be: “Get the job done and done well!”

Opposition politician Floyd Morris, who is also director of The UWI Centre for Disability Studies, expressed deep sadness at Mock Yen’s passing and described her as the quintessential radio broadcaster and lecturer.

“I had the distinct pleasure and honour to sit at the feet of this fabulous Jamaican woman during my time at Carimac. She knew media as how she was familiar with her only son, Sean. At a time when Fae Ellington, Hopeton Dunn, and Aggrey Brown were nurturing me at Carimac, Auntie Alma was there also. She was a perfectionist and disciplinarian and once you understood these traits, you were good with her,” he said.

Also paying tribute was Professor Sonjah Stanley, who extended condolence to Mock Yen’s family, friends, and wider community of dancers, media practitioners, students, teachers, and activists.

“Most of all, may your works continue to shine throughout Jamaica,” Stanley said.