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Regional journalist known for ‘warmth and wit’ dies aged 71

Carol EvansA regional journalist known for her “empathetic interviewing style and fluent writing” has died aged 71.

Tributes have been paid to Carol Evans, who worked for the Henley Standard, Reading Chronicle and the now-defunct Reading Evening Post, among other publications.

Carol, left, served as the Standard’s correspondent for the village of Sonning Common, initially working part-time to fit in family commitments.

She died on Tuesday 2 October, a year after being diagnosed with lymphoma.

An obituary in the Oxford Mail described her Sonning Common page in the Standard as a “must-read” for villagers.

It said: “With an empathetic interviewing style and fluent writing, she was soon asked to cover other stories on the paper and developed an ability to write about any subject.

“Her ‘Carol on Friday’ page was a particularly popular feature, while she was also a perceptive and keen drama critic.

“Despite her extreme modesty about her journalistic talents, her career also saw her writing for publications including Berkshire Life, a luxury travel magazine, and later the Reading Evening Post.”

“She was well-liked and respected at work, as a conscientious and trusted pair of hands who could write intelligently about any topic, as well as for her warmth and wit.

“She was also kind to trainee reporters, saying she thought about how she would want her own children to be treated if it was them.”

Carol also wrote theatre reviews for a number of publications, including the Chronicle.  She is survived by her husband John, children Neil and Anna, and four grandchildren.

John told the Mail: “We have had lots and lots of tributes from people all around, especially in the village. She came across a lot of people when she was writing about them.

“I have just got one now to say how much she had done for a school – so its really nice to hear all of that.”

Her funeral will be held at Reading Crematorium tomorrow at 1pm.

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  • October 24, 2018 at 12:18 pm
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    Carol was a joy to work with at the Reading Evening Post and we all have very fond memories of her. A truly lovely woman.

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