Former St. Albert Gazette managing editor Sue Gawlak has succumbed to a lengthy battle with breast cancer. She was 59.
Gawlak passed away Friday morning at her Akinsdale home surrounded by family, after an 18-month fight with cancer.
“Sue was with the Gazette for more than 20 years, the last several as editor,” said Duff Jamison, president and CEO of Great West Newspapers LP, which owns the Gazette. “She took a professional approach to the journalism our readers have come to rely on and expect.”
The Gazette flourished under Gawlak's leadership, regularly winning top newspaper honours at the provincial, national and North American level. She retired as managing editor in February 2009 after being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.
“She set the bar very high for her successors and so it shall remain,” Jamison said. “More important to her family here at the Gazette, she was our friend and mentor and we will miss her dearly.”
Funeral arrangements have not been arranged as of press time. The Gazette will include additional coverage honouring Gawlak's life and impact in the community in Wednesday's paper.
A funeral service for Sue Gawlak will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Albert United Church, 20 Green Grove Dr.
