Almost a year after the sudden death of Matthew Perry, his stepfather and sister have shared their grief and how they are honoring his legacy. Keith Morrison, who married Perry’s mother in 1981, and his daughter, Caitlin Morrison, spoke with HELLO! Canada about the devastating loss and the work they are doing in honor of the actor.
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Caitlin, 43, is the executive director of the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada. For her, working at this foundation is a way to keep the connection with her brother alive. "I feel like I am sitting next to Matthew, working with him every day on something that was important to him," she explained. The Canadian organization is independent from the Matthew Perry Foundation in the United States, created shortly after Perry's death at the age of 54.
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Matthew Perry's family speaks for the first time since the beloved actor's death
On the other hand, 77-year-old Keith Morrison spoke about the emotional impact of losing his stepson. "It was incredibly shocking when Matthew died suddenly last year," he commented. "Anyone who has lost a child will tell you that, even if you somehow prepare for that possibility, it is devastating." He added that, after the tragedy, they decided to hold onto the determination to do something useful and meaningful.
Caitlin fondly remembered her brother, describing him as a person who lit up any place he was in. "He had this ability to fill a room with light. When people were with him, there was a magnetic energy," she said. She also shared sweet memories of their childhood, recalling how Matthew taught her little tricks, from the right way to put butter on popcorn to how to have a "perfect timing" for comedy.
A valuable lesson that Matthew left Caitlin with was that "no matter how many times you fail, you haven't failed until you stop trying," a philosophy that Caitlin now applies in her life and in her work with the foundation. Perry's mother, Suzanne, is also part of the board of the Canadian foundation, which seeks to continue the actor's commitment to helping people in recovery. The organization works to expand the reach of the original foundation in the United States, promoting better treatment and support for those struggling with addiction, a battle that Perry faced for much of his life.