- Jean Daugherty
Jean Burnett Daugherty (born
March 5 1922 inBarnesboro, Pennsylvania ; diedApril 6 2008 inSyracuse, New York ) wrote, produced, and acted in more than 6,000 episodes of the pioneering children's television program "Magic Toy Shop" spanning nearly 30 years. She is the sister of formerMichigan State University football coachDuffy Daugherty -- "A tie is like kissing your sister". Jean will forever be missed by family, friends and fans!Early life
A graduate of Barnesboro High School, she received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State Teacher’s College (now
Indiana University of Pennsylvania ) in 1943. In 1944, she joined the SPARS, the women’s branch of the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1948, she received a master’s degree in communications from Syracuse University.Magic Toy Shop
Jean Daugherty began her television career in
Cleveland, Ohio . In 1948 she joined WHEN-TV (nowWTVH-TV ) in Syracuse, New York in 1948. On the "Magic Toy Shop" children's program, she was "The Play Lady". She produced all 6,200 episodes of the WTVH show broadcast between 1955 and 1982. In 1998, she wrote “Magic Toy Shop, Memories to Cherish,” a limited-edition book tracing the history of that children’s program. Much of the history and props from the series are now in the Onondaga Historical Association.Community Activity
Jean Daugherty was a founder of the Board of Literacy Volunteers and worked with the Inter-religious Council. She was a member of the board of the Syracuse Children’s Chorus and the Alibrandi Catholic Center at Syracuse University. She was a member of the Friends of the Burnet Park Zoo and Historic Onondaga Lake. In 1990, she was co-marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Jean was also an ever-present face cheering for the Orange at Syracuse University football games. Always sitting in the front row, behind the players bench, giving her unwaivering support to the boys.
Awards and honors
She was among the first inductees of the Syracuse Press Club Wall of Distinction. Syracuse University awarded her the Woman of Achievement Award, the All-Time Woman of Achievement and Distinguished Alumni Award. She received the Mayors Achievement Award and an Honorary Letter of Distinction by the Syracuse University Varsity Club. In 1976, Indiana University of Pennsylvania gave her an honorary doctorate of letters degree.
LeMoyne College gave her a similar honorary degree in 1991.External links
* [http://www.wtvh.com/news/playlady Remembering the "Play Lady"]
* [http://news10now.com//Default.aspx?ArID=113717 Remembering Jean Daugherty]
* [http://news10now.com/content/top_stories/113979/jean-daugherty-remembered/Default.aspx Jean Daugherty remembered]
* [http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/jean_daughtery_play_lady_dead.html Jean Daugherty "Play Lady" passes away]
* [http://www.legacy.com/Tribune-Democrat/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=107263359 Jean Burnett Daugherty]
* [http://www.wtvh.com/news/playlady/17481784.html Coverage of Jean Daugherty's Memorial]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
