Notable Passings

...Longtime Washington journalist and commentator Robert Novak has passed away at the age of 78. (Click the title of this post for the story.) Just over a year ago Novak announced his retirement after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Novak's good friend Kate O'Beirne shares her thoughts. More reminisces can be found all over the web.

...Ruth Ford, a Mercury Theatre Player and the widow of actor Zachary Scott, has died at the age of 98.

Ford's film credits included WILSON (1944), THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM (1944) and DRAGONWYCK (1946). Ford also had extensive credits on Broadway.

...I just learned of the June passing of prolific Regency romance author Edith Layton. I loved the books Layton wrote for the Signet Regency line in the '80s, such as THE DUKE'S WAGER and LORD OF DISHONOR. She also wrote many Christmas novellas which appeared in Signet's annual collections.

Layton's official website is here. She will be missed.