Post reporter remembered for hard work and dedication
SYDNEY — Tributes and condolences continue to pour in for journalist, colleague and friend Nancy Leigh King who died last week.
King died Oct. 2 at St. Martha’s Hospital in Antigonish. She was 47.
“Nancy was a passionate reporter at the Cape Breton Post for the past 21 years who excelled at producing hardnews copy such as coverage of the Murder for Lobster trial, the closure of the steel plant and the Ben Eoin Marina controversy,” said Carl Fleming, the Post’s general manager/managing editor.
Fleming said King did her homework for every assignment which resulted in her asking very thoughtful questions and producing detailed content.
“Despite her health issues, she was still writing and taking part in meetings and webinars in the days just prior to her passing. Our thoughts and condolences at this time go out to her family members. We have lost a valued co-worker and we will miss her.”
Raised in Port Hawkesbury, King graduated high school in 1991 and in 1995 earned a degree in journalism from the University of Kings College.
She began her career with the Port Hawkesbury Reporter before joining the staff at the Cape Breton Post.
As a general reporter, King covered a wide range of issues from a child’s first day of school to the thorny issue of equalization payments paid by the province to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
As noted in her obituary, King was particularly proud of work relating to an abuse case involving young boys which began in the Strait area and spanned two continents.
“Nancy was always on the side of the MacIntosh victims. We feel honoured to be part of her obituary,” said Bob Martin, one of the victims in the case.
A repeated comment by those paying tribute to her was that King came to an interview well prepared.
“You always knew to have your facts straight in talking with her,” said John Malcom, former CEO of the Cape Breton District Health Authority.
“A true professional. Tough but fair,” he said.
It was through her work that King developed a keen sense of what was happening in the communities she covered.
“She had such a strong knowledge of the community which was a definite asset to the board,” said Karen Blair, executive director of the Adult Learning Association of Cape Breton. King had served on the board of the association until June.
Colleague Rankin MacDonald, editor of the Inverness Oran newspaper, recalled King’s early days in the business when the pair would meet up at various assignments across Inverness County.
“She was a good friend and good journalist. She was so committed to her work and always worked hard to ensure she got it right,” said
MacDonald.
Outside of her work, King’s interests were equally as diverse and varied.
Her love of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings resulted in many interesting spats with her father over his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs.
But her true passion was music and King was known to hop a plane for anywhere her favourite musicians were playing. Among her favourites, in no particular order, were REM, I Mother Earth, The White Stripes, The Tragically Hip, Modest Mouse and The Weakerthans.
King was also involved in her union at work, CWATNG, and served on the executive for many years.
“Nancy was very proud to be a union member and believed strongly in the power of the collective and making sure her fellow workers were treated fairly and with respect,” said Steve MacInnis, president of the Sydney Local 30460.
King is survived by her parents, Jim and Helen; sister, Mary ( Scott) Delaney and three nieces.
Visitation will be held Thursday, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Dennis
Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury.
Funeral mass will be Friday at 10 a. m. in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury.
In keeping with COVID19 guidelines, all attendees will be asked to provide their names and telephone numbers upon arrival at the funeral home and the church. Social distancing protocols are to be followed and masks are mandatory.
Memorial donations may be made to the Strait Serenity Club or the SPCA of Cape Breton.