Merion, Pennsylvania
Gayle Ronan Sims, 61, of Merion, who lyrically described the lives of the famous, the infamous and the ordinary as an Inquirer obituary writer, died April 16, 2009 of multiple organ failure following a double lung transplant.
Read MoreI once heard Gayle talk to a shocked family member on the phone from her desk, and her gentleness was extraordinary. Her skill and kindness made something so difficult seem easy.
Jeff Weinstein
April 26, 2009 | New York, NY
I knew Gayle since she arrived at the Inquirer in 1987 and sat behind me. I thought she was a talented and versatile journalist, so kind, and dedicated to her children. She took immense pride in her work. I'm so sad that she is gone. It is hard for me to believe.
michael VITEZ
April 24, 2009 | Philadelphia, PA
I was devastated to see word of Gayle's untimely death. I worked with her in the Business Dept. at The Inquirer in the 1980s. And more recently, she helped me with a death notice for my dad, who died in May at age 95.
It was a brave thing she tried, to have a double-lung transplant. How sad that the transplant took, but the rest of her body failed. God be with her and her whole family.
Wendy Contos
April 24, 2009 | Conshohocken, PA
I was devastated to see news of Gayle's death. I worked with her in the Business Department during the 1980s. Then most recently, she helped me with a death notice for my dad, who died in May at age 95.
It was an incredibly brave thing she did, to take a chance on a double lung transplant. I suppose it was her best shot at living normally again, but I just regret terribly that the other complications got her.
Wendy Contos
April 24, 2009 | Conshohocken, PA
The first video I ever made professionally was done working with Gayle while I interned at The Inquirer. She was so professional, and really, deeply cared about the people she wrote about. I know she was able to positively and compassionately touch so many people in their moment of grief. I'm so sad to hear about her passing.
Jeffrey A. Haines
April 24, 2009 | Annapolis, MD
Gayle, you were a great mentor and an amazing friend. Thank you for your patience, advice and for all the fun we had together in Philadelphia, DC and Argentina. And thank you for introducing me to my wonderful husband :) You really nailed that one!
All my love,
Marina Walker Guevara
Marina Walker Guevara
April 24, 2009 | Washington, DC
Gayle, I feel blessed that I had the opportunity to know you. You were wonderful to work with and the consummate professional, and I loved reading your obits. May you rest in peace.
Love
Kevin Carter and Family
April 24, 2009
