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The following are just a few of the many news clippings about Constance A. Morrison RN., J.D.
Nurse practitioner-psychotherapist Constance A. Morrison said it is extremely
healthy to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Worcester Cold Storage and
Warehouse Co. fire by remembering the men who lost their lives, as well as their
families, firefighters and the entire community.
“Those wonderful, wonderful men, we’ll never forget them,” Ms. Morrison said.
“It was such a sad event. You know, some days it feels like yesterday, and on
other days, it seems like 100 years ago.”
Ms. Morrison worked 16- to 20-hour shifts as the crisis expert and volunteer
director of the local American Red Cross, counseling the city’s firefighters and
family members throughout the first couple of weeks after the blaze, and she has
traveled extensively throughout the world as an American Red Cross volunteer to
help in numerous disasters.
“As much trauma as I’ve seen in the world, and as much trauma as I had in my
life, this was the most traumatic,” Ms. Morrison said of the warehouse fire.
“This was in my own city.”
On that frigid night of the fire, Ms. Morrison counseled families and
firefighters in St. Stephen’s Church on Hamilton Street, a short distance from
where she lived at the time. Ms. Morrison grew up in the neighborhood and
attended St. Stephen’s high school.
Since that time, Ms. Morrison also has experienced loss. Her husband — and soul
mate — Paul W. Shapter Jr., died in her arms at 6:05 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008. The
couple were married 22 years, and traveled the world together, often as American
Red Cross volunteers. He was by her side the night of the fire, doling out hot
coffee and warm blankets, and in New York City after the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks.
The couple worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the federal
government’s Department of Homeland Security. Tom Ridge, the first secretary of
Homeland Security, honored Ms. Morrison March 1, 2003, in Washington, D.C., as a
founding member.
“He was my support during that time,” Ms. Morrison said. “He got me through it.”
Ms. Morrison, who remains committed to the American Red Cross, frequently
lectures and teaches on advanced nursing practices, disaster preparedness,
forensic science and risk management strategies around the world now. She
traveled to Turkey in October, and left for Singapore Nov. 15. Her next trip
will be to India.
“I came to where I am now to find some peace; I do a lot of work with children
now,” said Ms. Morrison, who lives in Plymouth, N.H. “I always look to find the
meaning in life.”
Offers of aid
help city cope with grief
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Counselors
offer hugs, sympathy
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NEWS | Friday, December 21, 2001 |
Sept. 11 trauma
still oppressive
Local couple to spend By KRISTA MARRS LACONIA — Helping others in their time of need is what the
American Red Cross is all about. This holiday season, Constance Morrison and her husband
will travel to Ground Zero in New York City to help those still suffering
the impacts of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. |
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NEWS | Thursday, December 27, 2001 |
Solace
in the midst of woe
Local Red Cross official By MARK WILLETT NEW YORK — "This is the most overwhelming, most destructive event I have ever seen," said Constance A. Morrison sitting in a makeshift office a few blocks from the rubble of the World Trade Center. "No amount of experience in all of my years could ever have prepared my husband or myself for what we’ve seen, what we’ve handled and what we do. The heartache is overwhelming." |
News - January 5, 2002 |
Volunteers moved by spirit and pain in New York City By DALE VINCENT Union Leader Staff Constance Morrison and her husband, Paul Shapter, have been disaster relief volunteers in the wake of typhoons and hurricanes, but the experiences paled in comparison to their stint just ended in New York City, helping victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
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NEWS | Saturday, March 16, 2002 |
Gov. honors Red Cross workers who responded to Ground Zero Morrison, Shapter aided victims of terrorist attacks CONCORD — Constance Morrison has responded to floods, fires, typhoons, and tornadoes. She has traveled to Guam, Puerto Rico and around the world. |
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
PSU to offer class for health care pros
Beginning this fall Plymouth State University will be offering a
online class for health care professionals aimed at gaining awareness of
health care and its laws. (more
information) |