In Val Ross, we lost a strong voice for the culture

The death of Val Ross of brain cancer at the age of 57 means the loss of a strong voice for Canadian culture. Until she was diagnosed with the disease in October, she had been the publishing reporter for the Globe and Mail after a stint as deputy comment editor. She wrote about many of the issues surrounding book and periodical publishing and other cultural matters in this country, with insight and passion. (See Sandra Martin's article about Ross in the Globe and Mail.)

Ross's understanding of the business came from having been part of it for many years. She was a valued staff writer at Maclean's magazine, a prolific freelancer for such magazines as Saturday Night, Chatelaine and Toronto Life (I first encountered her work at The City magazine), at one time managing editor of the short-lived Toronto magazine. She was also an author of note, and wrote two well-regarded books for young people and, at her death, had all but finished an oral history of author Robertson Davies which will doubtless be published posthumously. Val was also a pillar of the writing and journalism community, including involvement in the Professional Writers Association of Canada, PEN Canada and Amnesty International. She took a lot of joy in holding progressive views. And had one of the world's great smiles.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Massey College in Toronto, where she had been a member of the Quadrangle Society.