Tribute to Lissa Joseph, who has died aged 43

Vanessa Joseph, who left us on the morning of January 6, 2026, was not only well-known in local media circles; it is safe to say she was well-loved and respected.

My first encounter with Lissa was while reporting on a secondary school event (the year slips my mind now), where she spoke with eloquence and a commanding grasp of the English language.

This immediately caught my attention. It was no surprise that this Corinth Secondary School student would eventually find her rightful place in journalism in Saint Lucia.

She began as part of the Youth Talk programme on Radio Saint Lucia. Lissa distinguished herself as a feature presenter, interviewer, and the voice behind many documentaries and advertisements.

She worked with DBS, Calabash TV, and Hot 7 TV before moving on to GIS, where we worked together between 2019 and 2021. During that period, she confided in me about her illness, yet never once did it seem to diminish her passion for journalism.

In 2021, Lissa returned to DBS Television and appeared to have “bounced back” from her ailments. Her endearing smile, humility and sense of humour remained intact.

I always admired not only how passionate Lissa was about her work as a consummate media professional, but also how consistently she expressed her concerns and desire to see improvements in the local media profession. There was also a special bond between Lissa and DBS owner/manager Linda Daher.

At the annual Sandals Media brunch on November 29, 2025, I shared a ride with Lissa and two of her DBS colleagues. The conversations, of course, centred on the media – the lack of understanding by some managers and owners about what is needed to strengthen the fraternity – and the upcoming general election.

At that brunch, inspired by a conversation I had with the late Tony Paul, I sparked a discussion on the need to build a bridge between up-and-coming journalists and their older counterparts. The mood in the room, though still joyous, shifted as Judy Deterville, Earl Bousquet, John Emmanuel, Sahrfield Gaillard, and, of course, Lissa, chimed in.

We left that day in high spirits, promising to continue the engagements and actions that would foster change and growth in the local media landscape, as well as support younger practitioners. Lissa nudged me to take the lead.

So when I got the call from Jerry Joseph of HTS, who had also been at the Sandals brunch, he delivered the sad news against the backdrop of that shared memory. That was my last encounter with her.

I had heard whispers that cancer had returned with a vengeance over the Christmas holidays. Yet I never imagined that Lissa Joseph, whose company I enjoyed on November 29, 2025 – seemingly full of life –would be gone just over a month later. The finality feels unreal.

Scrolling through social media, the tributes and condolences bear similar words: kind, respectful, sincere, humble, brave, strong, jovial, and professional.

Her mother, who remained at her side since she was hospitalised on Friday, described Lissa as her best friend and confidant.

Lissa Joseph was born on October 25, 1982. Besides her immediate family, she leaves to mourn the wider media fraternity and the many Saint Lucians whose lives she touched through her work.