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Reporter loses battle with blood cancer aged 50

A ‘courageous’ reporter at a weekly paper who fought blood cancer for more than a year has died at the age of 50.

Charlotte Taylor, left, had worked for the Mid Sussex Times since 2003 but lost her battle with the disease last Friday at St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Eastbourne.

She had previously worked for the Eastbourne Gazette and Herald and the Seaford Gazette.

Charlotte’s husband Rupert is chief reporter at the Sussex Express and she also leaves a daughter, Matilda, and stepdaughters Chloe and Daisy.

Phil Dennett, senior reporter at the Mid Sussex Times, said: “When Charlotte was diagnosed early last year, she was told that without immediate treatment she would be unlikely to survive another two weeks.

“Her immense courage and good humour during more than a year of debilitating chemotherapy and bone-marrow treatment both humbled and inspired us.

“We all feared she faced huge odds but she never lost her sense of humour throughout this dreadful time for Charlotte and her family.

“Apart from her superb professionalism and her love for her family, the thing we shall always remember about Charlotte was her schoolgirl giggle which lit up the newsroom many times. It’s difficult to believe we have lost such a special person.”

He added Charlotte was a ‘perfect model’ for young reporters entering the newspaper industry.

Said Phil: “She was passionate about good writing style and grammar but never pedantic.

“Charlotte could write about a huge range of topics with clarity, style, and accuracy and, given the merest scent of a big story, kept on the trail until she got it. Her skills and personality will be missed by everyone.”

Comments

Mary Williams (02/08/2010 10:24:57)
I trained with Charlotte at Highbury College back in the 1980s. She was an amazing person and a great journalist – full of enthusiasm for life. Thoughts with Rupert and family.

Tim Cobb (02/08/2010 10:57:10)
Very sad to hear the news. My wife (Sue Baird) and I worked with Charlotte on the Eastbourne Herald in the 1980s. A thoroughly charming and professional person.

Angela Petersen (13/08/2010 13:30:34)
Such a shock to hear the news of Charlotte’s death. We worked together on the Eastbourne Herald and Seaford Gazette for many years and we became firm friends. She was a lovely person. My heart goes out to Rupert and Matilda, Chloe and Daisy, during this sad time.