Shirley Murtha has been writing for the Drummer since she retired from her career as a biology teacher in 1992. Since then, Murtha has published hundreds of articles, reporting on everything from the Board of Selectmen to the plight of fireflies, town governance to local farms and environmental issues. For over a decade, Murtha served as the Drummer’s copy editor alongside managing editor Rita Isaacson. The duo spent so much time at the Drummer office that Shirley’s late husband Bud (Bruce) Murtha used to refer to her and Rita simply as the “Drummer girls.”
Last year, Murtha published what she described as the most difficult article she’s ever written: a loving tribute to Jenny Emery titled “A grateful town remembers Jenny Emery.” Co-authored with Trish Percival, the obituary earned second place in the specialty articles category from the Connecticut Press Club. But, as Murtha recalled, “The piece was very hard to write. Jenny was a dear friend and such a force for good here in Granby. She was truly one-of-a-kind.”
Murtha’s article managed to find the words for those in the community who had been rendered speechless by the tragic loss. In the opening sentence, Murtha writes, “More than 300 people braved the nor’easter winds and pouring rain on October 13 to pay respects to Jenny Emery—her husband Dave and children Nina, Ellie and Bob—at Holcomb Farm.” The gathered mourners came from far and wide, Murtha recalled, a testament to Jenny Emery’s devotion to public service, including her work as a leader of the Friends of Holcomb Farm, her efforts in support of the Granby Land Trust, and her elected service on the Board of Finance and Board of Education.
“Jenny’s work lives on here,” Murtha explained, “and her work continues to touch so many lives.” She noted that it was Jenny who spearheaded the effort to convert the former West Granby Methodist Church into what is now Holcomb Farm’s year-round farm store; and that Jenny was instrumental in securing a stable source of income and long-term sustainability for the Fresh Access food donation program. Moreover, Jenny Emery was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, as famous for her signature banana (“Nana”) bread as she was for her tireless acts of public service.
As Murtha wrote in the award-winning article: “Granby is better because Jenny Emery was here. Her legacy endures—in the land she preserved, the farm she helped grow, the programs she built, her commitment to social justice and the countless lives she touched with her energy, enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to community.”
The piece represents the very best of what local journalism has to offer written by one of the Drummer’s most prolific journalists. Please join the Drummer editor and staff in thanking Shirley for her tireless efforts and help us to congratulate her on this much-deserved recognition from the Connecticut Press Club. Readers can find Shirley’s award-winning tribute to Jenny Emery by following this link.