Guest column: 'A legacy of confidence in our future' — Remembering Jean Ludlow

Mary Bennett Harvey, Susan Datz Edelman, et al
·3 min read

As members of the North Florida public relations profession, we want to pay tribute to Jean Ludlow, who recently passed away. Her contributions to our community — both professionally and personally — were significant.

Jean was part of William Nash's inner circle where, as head of the South Central Office of Prudential Insurance Company, he depended on her wise counsel as public relations manager, where she served for 23 years. In the 1970s and ‘80s (when many women in PR were thought to be lightweights, mere party planners), Jean Ludlow had a seat at the table where the business decisions were made.

She gave generously of her time and talent to young PR people coming up after her, offering not just an example, but advice and guidance to those who sought her suggestions. She was a serious strategist and showed those of us who sought her mentorship that we must see the whole business picture in order to understand how PR fit and drove the message. She was soft spoken and so very, very smart, with a sly wit and a lovely smile. She always took time for a phone call or a quick meeting to discuss a challenge a colleague might be having.

Ludlow
Ludlow

And Jean somehow fit extra hours in her days to volunteer for numerous nonprofits, which included serving for 20 years as a trustee of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, the first trustee of the fund that came from outside Mrs. duPont's inner circle.

During her decades of community service to Jacksonville, Jean served as:

  • President of the Arts Assembly of Jacksonville (predecessor of the Jacksonville Cultural Council);

  • President of the Jacksonville Women’s Network;

  • President of the former Jacksonville Art Museum (predecessor of MOCA);

  • President, North Florida chapter, Public Relations Society of America;

  • Chair of the Florida Humanities Council;

  • Founding member of the Women's Giving Alliance.

These were among the many other nonprofit organizations with which she was involved. Her kindness, generosity and integrity were well known to all and were said to be the qualities that precipitated her selection for the duPont Fund board.

Jean was the recipient of many honors and awards, including:

  • The EVE Award in the Employment category (1991)

  • Dillin Award, Florida Public Relations Association (1991)

  • OneJax Humanitarian Award (2017)

So, on Mother's Day, we celebrate Jean's abiding love for her daughters, Susan Burns and Betsy Hill and three grandsons, Brian and Kevin Burns and Scott Hill. Family always came first for Jean. She taught us that, too.

In business, in community stewardship, with family — Jean Ludlow set the tone for what all of us aspire Jacksonville to be. She will be missed, but she leaves behind a strong legacy of confidence in our future.

Family and friends will gather for a celebration of her life on Thursday, July 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Jessie Ball duPont Center, 40 E. Adams St., Jacksonville. All are welcome to attend.

Mary Bennett Harvey and Susan Datz Edelman, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

Maria Coppola, Coppola Public Relations

Bonnie Upright, Citi Jacksonville

David Clark, Downtown Ecumenical Services Council

Beth Mixson, Family Promise of Jacksonville

Roberta (Bobbi) Doggett, University of North Florida School of Communication

Karen Rieley, writer

Carolyn Gentry, retired, Florida Times-Union

Robert B. Kidd, RKA Public Relations & Marketing

Kathy Barbour, Brooks Rehabilitation

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Guest column: 'Confidence in our future' — Remembering Jean Ludlow