IN MEMORIAM: Connie Knox, life-long Newspaper Guild member

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Connie Knox, a life-long Newspaper Guild member who had just stepped down as the union's international chair just a week ago, has died. Her body was found at home Saturday by her daughter; further details about her death are unknown at this time.

Knox, 68, recently retired from the Baltimore Sun, where she had worked for more than 32 years as a copy editor and as assistant magazine editor. Her earlier journalistic career had included reporting stints with the Waterbury (Conn.) Republican-American and the Willoughby (Ohio) News-Herald.

But Knox's true profession was as a Guild leader and activist, on unit, local and national levels -- a commitment that brought expressions of admiration even from those she opposed across a bargaining table. "She was a colleague, occasionally an adversary, and always a friend," wrote John McIntyre, the Sun's night content production manager and former head of its copy desk. " Our discussions were always cordial, no matter on which side of the desk we were sitting, and I mourn her passing. She stood up for her people."

In addition to serving five years as unit chair at the Sun, Knox was vice president of the Washington-Baltimore Guild for five years, followed by 12 years as the local's president, a tenure during which she was credited for overcoming much of that local's fractious history. She also served eight years as an at-large vice president for TNG-CWA, followed by eight years as TNG-CWA vice president for Region 2. "Connie had an innate sense of fairness, a keen mind and a compassionate heart," Guild President Bernie Lunzer said, reflecting on her decades-long stewardship of the union.  "She was a leader I looked up to and always learned from. She'll be missed."

Click here for Knox’s reflections upon retirement, including some fascinating “war stories” from Guild battles at the Sun.

Funeral and memorial service arrangements will be posted as they become available.

- reported by The Newspaper Guild