Deaf Interpreter Georgette “Gigi” Doran tribute
A deaf interpreter, Georgette “Gigi” or “Geo” Doran, who is well known in the Deaf community for a viral video and popular GIF of her interpreting for the then-Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick during a blizzard in 2013, passed away on Tuesday, April 12 at the age of 72. Here is the video/GIF.
[Video and GIF showing Doran]
A friend of Gigi, Jo Ellen Spencer-Granaas, was in contact with Gigi’s family and shared the news about her passing. Jo said she was “easily the funniest person you’ve ever met.”
Jo said Gigi’s family said she died of natural causes and was battling COPD, which is a disease that affects the lungs and airflow. The family said Gigi “died peacefully in her home.”
Gigi was born in New York and was the only deaf person in her family. She worked for many years as a Deaf Interpreter for the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH).
The MCDHH posted a tribute to Gigi on its Facebook page, saying she worked with the organization from 1996 to 2015 and was known for her “incredible interpreting skills, sense of humor, and strong sense of community.” The MCDHH said she was an “extraordinary legal CDI.”
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Gigi moved to Florida about three years ago in the Safety Harbor / Clearwater area. She was a volunteer and a mentor to deaf children at the Deaf Literacy Center there. She had dreams of starting a deaf club. One of her last vlogs on her Facebook page, on March 2, is about a deaf gathering event to eat pizza, watch a movie, and have a meeting.
Gigi Duran: Once everyone is seated, we’ll serve them and the film will start. At 6:30 pm sharp. After that, I want people to come together and talk about your thoughts on starting a deaf club. Okay? Thank you!
Alex: Her Facebook page is now filled with tributes and memories from those who knew her.
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc (RID) said in a statement sent to “The Daily Moth” that their thoughts and condolences are with Gigi’s loved ones and that they will miss her impactful work for our communities.
The DLC said in a Facebook post that “we lost an amazing volunteer” and that her “passion and support will be forever treasured.”
Gigi leaves behind a brother, two sisters, and a niece, Katy. There will be a celebration of Gigi’s life at the DLC in Safety Harbor sometime in May. A specific date hasn’t been set.
MCDHH/MA: https://www.facebook.com/MCDHH.MA/posts/289214066725359
DLC: https://www.facebook.com/dlcpinellas/posts/10158684657003366
RID: https://www.facebook.com/RIDInc/photos/a.372585459132/10159823133674133