For content marketers, finding a good proofreader and editor can be a challenge. Many in communications and public relations consider themselves strong writers, but it’s not every day that you run across a true editor. It’s someone whose sole focus is to read and interpret words, using expertise to fix any errors and give the content new legs, or “joie de vivre,” so to speak.

At Trilix, we’ve been fortunate to know, work with and call a true editor our friend: PJ Myers.

Sadly, our dear friend who brought so much light and kindness to our agency has retired her green editing pen for life, the pen that evoked so much knowledge and made everyone within our walls better writers and stronger communicators. While PJ “Word Girl” has passed, her personal and professional legacy lives on at Trilix through the heart(s) she leaves behind and the grammar lessons she’s forever engrained in our minds.

A way with words

PJ taught us many lessons in her tenure at Trilix. For example, yes, you can start a sentence with a conjunction and end with a preposition. If you don’t have a formal content quality process in place, you need one. And it’s imperative to avoid punctuation pitfalls that can alter the meaning of your content.  

She was a great teacher and a wonderful human being. We were truly lucky to have her on our team.

Abby Bottenfield, communications director at Trilix

PJ had a way with words. She knew exactly what to change and how to change it to elevate our content. 

“One thing we appreciated about PJ was her willingness to share her expertise,” said Abby Bottenfield, Trilix communications director. “She wouldn’t just make edits and leave you guessing why she made them. She would explain her reasoning in a way that made sense and was easy to interpret. She was a great teacher and a wonderful human being. We were truly lucky to have her on our team.”

In her role as senior content editor for Trilix, PJ was tasked with proofreading and editing all content for our clients, from video scripts, analytics reports, news releases, ad copy, case studies, proposal responses and more. She was also a strong writer and someone we turned to often to help write long-form content for clients or the Trilix blog.

We will ensure her legacy lives on in the stories we share and the heart we put into our work.

Brett Adams, Trilix president and chief marketing officer

“PJ’s knowledge of everything AP style, the do’s and don’ts of grammar and exceptional storytelling capabilities were incredibly valuable to everyone in our agency,” said Brett Adams, Trilix president and chief marketing officer. “We will ensure her legacy lives on in the stories we share and the heart we put into our work.”

A whole lot of heart

PJ was a passionate person. Her unwavering faith fueled her strength during the final chapter of her amazing journey. Her love for her children, Dean and Hanna, inspired her ultimate happiness. She was adored by many and admired by all. She brought heart to the work she did for Trilix and her friendships in the office.

After learning of her passing, some of our team gathered to share words that best described PJ. A conversation that was difficult to initiate quickly turned to smiles and was one we think PJ would have appreciated as we remembered what we most admired about her. 

Some of the words that were used to best describe PJ are:

  • Approachable,
  • Knowledgeable,
  • Supportive,
  • Patient,
  • A ray of sunshine,
  • Always positive,
  • Caring,
  • Understanding,
  • Thoughtful,
  • Kind,
  • True to herself,
  • Charismatic,
  • Confident,
  • Steadfast in her faith and beliefs,
  • Fearless,
  • Funny,
  • And big-hearted.

The last struck a chord with everyone in the room. PJ not only had a big heart, but hearts were all around her. She unassumingly happened upon them in nature; they were like little signs that reminded her who she was and of the impression she wanted to impart upon others.   

“One of our favorite stories about PJ was that she always found heart shapes in nature,” Abby said. “She would find them everywhere — in clouds, rock formations, random stains and even surprises left behind by her beloved cat, Stella. When she ran across one, she would capture a picture of the moment and hang it up at her desk. It was her reminder to always have heart. Our team plans to honor her by continuing this tradition. If we find hearts in nature along our journeys, we’ll know who sent it our way, and we’ll never forget what it means.”

We’ve all seen marketing communications that seem to have it all (talent, technology, creativity), but they still fall flat in the absence of heart. I am and will forever be grateful to have benefited from that very rare and beautiful heart! 

PJ Myers

During her health journey, PJ sent us a message she wished to share with everyone at the agency — one that speaks to who she was as a person and professional.  

“Working for Trilix has been my favorite part of my career. There’s no doubt in my mind that the ‘secret sauce’ in Trilix’s work is the HEART that beats behind it all! I’ve been at this game long enough to know: heart cannot be faked. We’ve all seen marketing communications that seem to have it all (talent, technology, creativity), but they still fall flat in the absence of heart. I am and will forever be grateful to have benefited from that very rare and beautiful heart! Thank you so much for the great kindness and generosity you have shown me — it’s truly unheard of and something I haven’t taken for granted.”

We miss you, PJ. Thank you for inspiring us. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Thank you for being our friend.