You know, living in Oregon, spending time on preserves, vast tracts, woodlands. It changes you, the timelessness, or, rather, the semi-timelessness. Because change is slow here. But it does come.
And I'm not always ready for change now, especially, especially, when it comes to my favorite places. They are the wonderful islands on the land. A meadow to linger. Restorative. Then, one day, you can't reach them in the way you once did. The way is blocked, or you can no longer manage the distance.
But they are still accessible. No need to travel. Call them forth now with a sound, or a thought, or an image. And I have a trove of favorite places where I can spend pleasant hours sifting memories created by you, Beth. Thank you for each and every one of them.
With all my heart.
--Jim Lavelly
I'm so saddened to hear this. Beth and I were friends in college, working on the school paper together. (That was when she tried to do a full horoscope workup on me. She was stunned, and exasperated, that my mother didn't know the precise time of my birth. She wasn't surprised, though, that I was a Scorpio. "Figures," I recall her saying.) I was delighted when she joined the LA Times. She was a magnificent editor and a wonderful person.
--Martin Baron
I am so very sorry to hear this. My condolences to Ken. Beth was such a lovely colleague and person. She was also cool under pressure and kind — but direct. Anyone who mistook her grace for any sort of weakness soon learned that she had very, very high standards and expected the same from everyone else. She was always fair, professional and just a damn fine person. I’m so sorry she has passed.
--Melissa McCoy
I'm so sorry to hear this. Condolences to Ken and the rest of her family. Had enjoyed catching up with her at the desk's Huntington Library lunches. She was a classic Metro slot editor, cool under pressure, incredibly intelligent about so many things. Great to work with.
--Keith Thursby
Terribly sad news. Beth had informed me of the Stage 4 esophageal cancer a few months ago. It's shocking how quickly it progressed. She had wished me a happy birthday just a week or so ago. I met her on the news copy desk at the LAT in April of 2004. A great friend, colleague and fellow bird watcher/nature lover.
--David Bowman
I am so sorry to hear this. Beth was always the steady pilot in the sea of madness on deadline. Condolences to Ken and her many friends.
--Paul Loop
This is heartbreaking. Beth was a great colleague and a better friend. At the Times, there was nobody I’d rather be in the trenches with. After retirement, I found it was even better being out in the world with her. Beth was multitalented, had a wide range of interests and offered unique perspectives on a number of subjects. Time spent with her was always a joy. Condolences to Ken and all those who were close to her.
--Mark McGonigle
Oh, no!! She was, I think, only the third woman on the Metro copy desk (behind Melissa McCoy and me). She was ALWAYS so smart, kind and truly cool under pressure. (Like, epically cool.) The world of newspapers (along with the rest of the world) will be much diminished without her.
--Jill-Marie Jones
RIP, Beth. Condolences to Ken and her family members. A sad day for all.
--Bill Sheehan
This is very sad news. Beth brought me onto the Metro Copy Desk not long before 9/11 changed our world. She was a terrific editor and just a very nice person. My condolences to Ken and others in her life.
--Timothy Lemm
I’m so sorry to hear this—i always loved working with her!
--Jean Merl
Alas. Beth was a giant on the copy desk. Always an ally!
--Patrick McMahon
Beth was annoying in the best way—she invariably caught errors and imprecision in stories. Stories you had assumed were “perfect.”
--Jim Rainey
I loved working with Beth. She was so kind, smart and so cool under pressure.
--Jim Coleman
So sorry to hear this. I remember her from the LA times. A true tragedy.
--Deborah Schoch
Very sad! Beth was a wonderful editor and such a warm and quietly funny person.
--Larry Gordon
What sad news! Beth was a such a lovely person.
--Susan Denley
So very sad to hear. Beth was a wonderful colleague.
--Kurt Streeter
Rest to Beth. Damn that cancer.
--Darrell Kunitomi
I’m so sorry to hear this. Beth was a wonderful colleague, always quietly in control under pressure. My condolences to all who loved her.
--Roxane Arnold
I remember watching her speak up in a meeting about a style point and thinking "dang, I thought she was so quiet." She was smart, kind and a cool cat lady too - she helped me rescue Linus and Lucy from the LAT garage. And her Yukon Gold mashed potatoes were a highlight of the copy desk Thanksgiving dinner. I'm so sorry to hear.
--Anne Elisabeth Dillon
Very sad to hear this. Deepest condolences to Ken and to her family.
--George Foulsham
Oh no! What a wonderful woman and top-flight colleague.
--Patt Morrison
She was a lovely person, and will be missed. Condolences to Ken, and Beth's family.
--Jim Hollander
Very sad news. Beth was so kind.
--LaKenya Finley
Phil and I are so sorry to hear that the wonderful Beth Troy has left us. She was wonderful to work with. Always kind and patient, and such a keen-eyed editor. Our hearts go out to Ken.
--Bobbi Olson
Very sorry to hear this- a great colleague and editor.
--Beth Shuster
So sorry. She was a good colleague.
--Henry Weinstein
Very sad news. Beth was a wonderful colleague.
--Paul Feldman
Beth was an absolute gem. ???? So sorry to hear this news, but I love the photo of her.
--Cat O'Mara Wallace