That’s sad news about Mary Lou Forbes, Kathryn, but what a life — dying in harness (more or less, aside from the last couple of weeks) at the age of 83, still putting out one of the best commentary sections in America and a much livelier read than those produced by fellows a half (or even a third) her age.

I knew her by reputation before I met her and, because of the generation she belonged to, I was expecting a hardboiled Ros Russell type. She was the complete opposite: sweet and genial — but with a very sharp eye, and a real love for what she did untainted by the pomposity to which the profession is prone. A great loss.