Our colleague and great friend Lorna Reid has died, aged 68.
She was a native of Tralee, Co Kerry, and passed away suddenly in St Vincent’s Hospital ICU, Dublin , on Friday, (April 22) with her husband, Ciarán Kennedy, by her side. She was buried on Wednesday (March 27th) in Ballyseedy Church of Ireland Churchyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Lorna joined Independent Newspapers in 1969 as a teenager – one of the rare number of female journalists at that time — and retired in 2011.
Her relations were steeped in newspaper publication, in Co. Tipperary, Co. Down and Belfast, so it was perhaps inevitable that she followed the journalistic route.
She had splendid writing skills, impeccable shorthand, a talent for spotting a breaking news story and covered everything from the Courts, the many Tribunals, European affairs and Leinster House, where she spent 17 years reporting events and knew everyone there from members to staff – all on a first-name basis.
Her diligence and accuracy were admired by all.
She had a bubbly, always smiling personality and lit up any room she entered.
In particular, she enjoyed her membership of the Association of European Journalists, where she was a committee member, and looked forward to the monthly lunches among so many old friends.
She will be sadly missed.