Dear MdM community,
I have very sad news to share with you. J-Lisa Rowland passed few days ago in New York. She was surrounded by her family.
J-Lisa has been cremated. The family would like to hold a ceremony on the beach in New York in February, March at the latest. There should be a second ceremony in April for the scattering of the ashes in Ireland (her father’s country, which she was particularly fond of).
J was a nurse, she worked with MdM in many countries such as Liberia, Palestine, Turkey, Jordan, Myanmar, Bulgaria, Iraq and Lebanon, most of the time as medical coordinator.
She also worked with other NGOs such as Goal, ACF, Emergency & Première Urgence and also for United Nations.
I (Céline), met J-Lisa 13 years ago in Palestine. At that time, she was based in Nablus working as program coordinator. We became friends and we kept our friendship over the years despite the distance.
I (Tanit) met J-Lisa when she took her position as Medical Coordinator in Iraq, and we became friends. We have been in regular contact since then.
For those who had the privilege to meet and to know her, they would say that J was a luminous person and that she was pure kindness. She really cared about the people in need; she was a real “humanitarian” ; she was empathic and really committed to defend the rights of the minorities.
The world lost a beautiful soul…
For those who know her, don’t hesitate to send few words or pictures @ tanit_i@hotmail.com. We will then share it with her family. You may also send @ laboussole@medecinsdumonde.net if you want to share it with the MdM community.
Thank you
Céline Laurenson and Tanit I. Zayas
