Obituary for Frederick Lawrence Jeffrey
Lawrence Jeffery, author, playwright.
September 28, 1953 – May 15,2021
Lawrence was an author of plays and non-fiction books on Chinese Canadians; the power brokers of pre 1997 Hong Kong; banking in Asia. He was twice nominated for the Governor General's Award for Drama, and his work is published by Exile Editions, Toronto. His non-fiction work focused mainly on banking in Africa, Asia and South Asia, and was commissioned by Mike DeNoma of The Standard Chartered Bank as a way of championing the work of the bank's grass roots employees. His stories included "Grace," about a bank employee in Kenya who was dying of HIV/AIDS. Due to the overwhelming stigma associated with the disease that existed in that branch's HR department at that time the result of a regional bias it was thought that this policy was saving the bank money by insisting no employee had HIV. Lawrence's story exposed the situation, prompted a policy review which then made antiretroviral drugs available to employees as needed. In turn his story saved Grace's life, among others employed by SCB. Lawrence was a kind person, a fine writer, and possessed a delightful sense of humour and a gentle nature. You would have liked him. Lawrence and I are both indebted to the kindness of his aunt and uncle, the late Irene and Michael Jeffery of North Vancouver, cousins Chris Jeffery of Los Alamos, NM, and Stephen Jeffery of Salt Spring Island, BC., and to my parents Barbara Ransom, and the late Ross Ransom, of St. Catharines.
Lawrence’s death was the result of complications due to Lewy Body Disease. Donations to the London Health Sciences Centre, attn., Dr. Mary Ellen Jenkins, greatly appreciated.
September 28, 1953 – May 15,2021
Lawrence was an author of plays and non-fiction books on Chinese Canadians; the power brokers of pre 1997 Hong Kong; banking in Asia. He was twice nominated for the Governor General's Award for Drama, and his work is published by Exile Editions, Toronto. His non-fiction work focused mainly on banking in Africa, Asia and South Asia, and was commissioned by Mike DeNoma of The Standard Chartered Bank as a way of championing the work of the bank's grass roots employees. His stories included "Grace," about a bank employee in Kenya who was dying of HIV/AIDS. Due to the overwhelming stigma associated with the disease that existed in that branch's HR department at that time the result of a regional bias it was thought that this policy was saving the bank money by insisting no employee had HIV. Lawrence's story exposed the situation, prompted a policy review which then made antiretroviral drugs available to employees as needed. In turn his story saved Grace's life, among others employed by SCB. Lawrence was a kind person, a fine writer, and possessed a delightful sense of humour and a gentle nature. You would have liked him. Lawrence and I are both indebted to the kindness of his aunt and uncle, the late Irene and Michael Jeffery of North Vancouver, cousins Chris Jeffery of Los Alamos, NM, and Stephen Jeffery of Salt Spring Island, BC., and to my parents Barbara Ransom, and the late Ross Ransom, of St. Catharines.
Lawrence’s death was the result of complications due to Lewy Body Disease. Donations to the London Health Sciences Centre, attn., Dr. Mary Ellen Jenkins, greatly appreciated.