Deborah Howell

Deborah Howell was the best role model any woman who aspired to a career in journalism could want. She was always encouraging, to the point, fiesty and above all a person who told you the truth. She and I worked together in Knight Ridder and then in ASNE. There was no one quite like her and I will miss her.
Arlene Morgan
Columbia Graduate School of Journalismn

I met Deborah years ago, but as a Newhouse editor at the Star-Ledger, I had a greater chance to interact with her. Funny, witty, smart, a trailblazer who helped women and folks of color. We thank her very much for that. And yes, she called often after Pulitzer judging. A loss for all of us who love the craft and diversity.

Deborah knew how to ask, when to listen and what to write. Few master all three. May she rest in peace, but not boredom.

I had the privilege of working with many outstanding editors at Knight Ridder. Deborah was special. Her combination of talent, instinct, guts, drive, passion, empathy and commitment to great (not just good) journalism made her one of the remarkable editors of her time.

Deb Howell came to the Washington Post after a long career of achievement. Ombudsmen by definition are supposed to be outsiders but she really was a foreign agent whose first allegiance was not to the traditions of the Post but to the interests of our readers. At the age of 66 she could have been in a condo in Florida but there she was in her office at 8 pm many nights. She worked so hard, so tirelessly, and sometimes her only thanks were the lowest form of personal attacks pecked out by...

Although I had known Deborah for many years as a fellow Minnesota editor and ASNE member my fondest and treasured memory was our long stroll through the streets of Rome a few years back when we were at a conference. We talked mostly about common aquaintances and memories of our beloved St. Paul. She may have come from Texas and traveled the world. But I will always remember her as the best editor my hometown newspaper ever had. Best wishes to Peter, friends and family. She left a very...

Everyone who knew Deborah Howell or knew anything about her is stunned by her death. There are so many reminiscences. Let me add this:

I have known Deb, although only slightly, for years. I worked on the news staff of the Minneapolis Tribune in the '60s, and she had just joined the news staff of the Minneapolis Star. For the 1966-67 academic year, I was a teaching assistant at the U of Minnesota, as well as working at the Tribune. Bill McReynolds, the man who was in charge of me...

I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Deborah Howell, and extend my sincere condolences to her family and to everyone who knew and loved her. May her memory be eternal.

When it came to a choice between "respecting the journalistic establishment" and digging out the news, she chose to dig. That's an unusual quality in a reporter. She'll certainly be missed.