I just saw a sad affair.

[HEyHEY]

There is a lady here who basically started this newspaper. Eventually it was bought by a major chain and she stayed on as the publisher. Two months ago she was sort of forced to retire because of company policy. But she stayed on as an ad-sales lady. She's been in the paper business for probably over 40 years. Anytime I've mentioned to collegues what paper I work at they always ask "Is Betty still there?"

SHe had a mild heart attack about three weeks ago and long story short she can't work anymore. I hadn't seen here since the heart attack. She just came in with her grandson (my editor) and cleaned out all her stuff...she really doesn't want to retire and I could feel such a sense of sadness in the office.

She's such a nice lady too. ANd I just checked to see if she had taken her picture of Winston Churchill and another rock star whom I can't remember off the wall. She had...which means she's gone forever.

Really quite sad...and beautiful.