The Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association (PMBA) has received the largest donation in its history, but has done so with the heaviest of hearts.
Lynn Morris, a fervent and passionate supporter of Peterborough musicians who was a familiar face at live music events in the city, died last Monday (February 17) following a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 67.
Two days earlier, at the monthly PMBA blues jam fundraiser at The Social, headlining act Rob Phillips, cheque in hand, announced that Morris had gifted $50,000 to the association.
To put that in perspective, the PMBA, which provides financial assistance to musicians in need, raised just more than $8,500 during the period from its January 2014 inception until August 2016.
Peterborough real estate agent Jo Pillon, a member of the PMBA’s founding board, says Morris was in palliative care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on the day her donation was announced. Pillon recorded the announcement at PMBA with her phone and shared it with Morris.
“She hearted it, so I know she saw it,” says Pillon. “The show was dedicated to Lynn. He (Phillips) brought up the cheque, donated it to us, and talked a little bit about the PMBA and what we do. I recorded the whole thing and sent it to Lynn.”
“I spent two hours with her earlier on the day of the show,” adds Pillon. “We had a really good visit. I felt good about being able to say goodbye to her.”
“She was a fighter, for sure, but during her recovery from chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she fell at home and broke her hip. She was hospitalized again for hip surgery. She rallied from that and, even though it was difficult for her, she still came out to PMBA events, sometimes on her own.”
Morris asked Pillon to organize her celebration of life and she’s in the process of doing just that, with help from Al Black and Phillips. Details are still being worked out but it will held Sunday, April 13 at The Social and, yes, local musicians will be featured at the event.
“She was adamant she didn’t want to have it while she was still with us,” says Pillon, adding “I’m honoured that she entrusted me with organizing her celebration of life.”
“About two months ago, I took Lynn to The Social to meet with (co-owner) Cole (Akey) and look at the menu. She picked out what she wanted. I expect a fair number of people will come out that day.”
As a lasting tribute to Morris, Pillon says an award presented annually by the PMBA to the Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist will be renamed the Lynn Morris Memorial Award.
Morris’ love of music, and those who perform it, was rooted in her relationship with the late Al Kirkcaldy. He produced and hosted Blue in the Face on Trent Radio for 15 years, and brought a number of top blues acts to Peterborough before he died of cancer in February 2009.
Binding Pillon’s more than 30 years of friendship with Morris was the fact that she too lost her partner prematurely, when singer and keyboardist Phil ‘Mr. Deluxe’ Marshall died suddenly in December 2013.
Wanting to keep alive Marshall’s tradition of helping musicians in need, she approached Don McBride, Norm Kastner, former Pig’s Ear Tavern owner John Punter, and Black to help her establish the PMBA. Debuting in January 2014, the monthly jam was initially held at the Pig’s Ear before moving, first to Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews, and most recently to The Social.
Morris was also a regular patron of the weekly Sunday Blues Jam at Jethro’s on Hunter Street West. In November 2023, she was quoted in a feature article on the jam published by kawarthaNOW.
“It’s the calibre of the entertainment that brings me out,” she said, adding “You never know who’s going to show up.”
As for Pillon, she is sad that her friend is gone but knows Morris be there in spirit at her celebration of life.
“She was a strong personality — she knew what she wanted and she knew what she liked, and she wasn’t afraid to tell people. I’m going to miss her.”
