Tom Johnson on Margaret Moth

I knew Margaret Moth only by reputation.   My old boss, former CNN CEO Tom Johnson shared the remarks he plans to make about her with a few former CNN colleagues via email, and I though I would share them with you. — Jamie

A Tribute To Margaret Moth
By Tom Johnson, CEO, CNN, 1990–2001

Margaret’s life and her death touched all of us. Unlike most of you, I did not work with Margaret in field assignments.   My friendship began after that sniper’s bullet blew out parts of her jaw, her tongue, and her teeth.  On behalf of Ted Turner and CNN, I ordered that we do everything humanly possible for Margaret.

My link to Margaret, to the staff accompanying Margaret, and to The Mayo Clinic was Steve Cassidy.  Because Steve had become my go-to guy on all staff emergencies — later including David Allbritton—I started referring to Steve as “911”.  He did not like that title.

Saving Margaret took a monumental effort—from those in the car—Mark

Dulmage, Stefan Kotsonis and a driver— when she was shot to the French field hospital to the U.S. Army hospital in Wiesbaden to Washington and ultimately to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Eason, Joe Duran and Margaret’s mother flew to meet Margaret in Germany and escorted her to Mayo. At Mayo, Dr. Paul Petty was her wonderful surgeon who watched over Margaret through many major surgical procedures for many years.

Another person who deserves special thanks is Linda Strain. Not many people know about Linda. She was the nurse who worked the floor on which Margaret convalesced at Mayo.  Margaret and Linda became close friends. Throughout all these years, she was the there for Margaret on countless trips to Rochester—in a town where Margaret did not know anyone.   Linda was in the room with Margaret and Joe when Margaret passed away.

But, we all were secondary to the amazing resolve to live that Margaret demonstrated throughout her ordeal. She did not blame the sniper. “We got between them in their war,” she said. Her attitude was almost beyond description. No self-pity. No whining. No anger.

She cared more about the condition of her cats in Istanbul than about almost anything. Joe Duran has been the ultimate friend and caretaker for Margaret. I never have seen a more caring, devoted, loyal friend than Joe.

I want to thank all those in the company for enabling Margaret to receive the financial support throughout this ordeal.  Even after Ted, Eason and I no longer were with the company, Phil Kent, Jim Walton, Tony Maddox and Parisa saw to it that that support never wavered.

CNN was as loyal to Margaret as Margaret had been to us.

There is a poem that captures my thoughts about Margaret:

It isn’t how we die
It is how we live.
It isn’t what we take from life.
It’s what we give.

Well, Margaret, you gave us your very best.

You taught me about genuine bravery, courage, laughter, and love—even love of stray cats in faraway Istanbul.

My God, you were one of a kind in my life and in the lives of all of us gathered here in celebration of your indomitable spirit.

Tom Johnson
Former CEO, CNN

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