Early this morning, long time Nome Nugget editor and publisher Nancy McGuire died. McGuire had been battling cancer and in her last editorial bid a fond farewell to her beloved Nome community and residents. John Handleland is a former mayor of Nome and was a long time friend of the tenacious journalist. He says McGuire was born and raised on a Pennsylvania farm. She became an educator and moved to Nome in 1973 and bought the Nome Nugget in 1982. He says she was proud that the paper is the oldest in Alaska. McGuire was given the Alaska Press Club 1st Amendment award in 2012.
Handleland says he got to know her when he became mayor in 1985 and was sometimes taken to task in her paper.
Nancy McGuire was 72 when she died this morning. A funeral mass will be held at the St Joseph Catholic Church in Nome at 2 pm on Saturday.
Lori Townsend is the chief editor, senior vice president of journalism and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452. Read more about Lori here.
