Former Gaithersburg, Maryland-based Gazette deputy editor Michelle LeComte, 58, died Tuesday after a three-year battle with cancer. Michelle a few decades ago was enterprise and features editor for the Beacon Journal.
Another former BJ staffer, Georgia MacDonald, former Gazette commentary editor who spent two decades
Georgia is married to another former BJ editor, John MacDonald, who worked on the BJ State Desk in the 1970s under its editor, Pat Englehart, before the MacDonalds switched their journalism talents to the D.C. area.
In her "Jane Snow Cooks" book published by the University of Akron Press, Jane's acknowledgements include Michelle for her “patience, encouragement and advice.”
The funeral arrangement was private.
Click on the headline to read the Gaithersburg Gazette article about Michelle's career and death.
Georgia MacDonald emailed a clarification of her years with Michelle:
John,
Just saw the item you wrote up on Michelle LeComte. Need to point out an error in this sentence:
"Another former BJ staffer, Georgia MacDonald, former Gazette commentary editor who spent two decades with Michelle at the now-defunct Journal newspapers in the Greater D.C. area, said:..."
Actually, we had known each other for about 20 years, since we worked together at the Journal newspapers. Neither of us worked for the Journals for two decades. I think I was at the Journals for about 4 years before Michelle took off for Akron.
She later returned to Maryland. By that time I had been at the Gazettes for about 5-6 years. I introduced her to my boss; he was impressed and eventually hired her.
Hope you can make a change in the blog. Do enjoy reading it and keeping up with the comings and goings of folks.
Thanks.
Georgia MacDonald
