Remembering Gayle: Inquirer, Daily News

Memo from Bill Marimow:

Our colleague Gayle Sims died last night [Thursday, April 16, 2009] at Temple Hospital, one month after undergoing a lung transplant at the hospital. Gayle’s daughter Jamie said that the cause of her death was multiple organ failure. Jamie said that Gayle’s new lungs were fine, but that her kidney, liver and other organs were failing. As we all know, Gayle was endowed with an indomitable spirit and an ineradicable passion for her work – obituaries that truly brought her subjects to life and brimmed with color, quotes and anecdotes. During the last year, Gayle did that work – with determination and skill — from her home while grappling with ever more challenging health problems. At this point, Jamie said the family has no plans for a funeral service. I will keep you apprised when I learn more.