Sadly last Sunday morning, Lorraine Varone, wife of Saugus Building Inspector Fred Varone, passed away suddenly at the young age of 57. To lose a loved one is something everyone has to go through in life but when innuendo and rumors are written into an article in another newspaper and left for everyone to speculate on, is wrong and unprofessional.

I am writing about a story in another newspaper which detailed the events that led to the passing of Mrs. Varone. Details of how she died and what transpired at the hospital are no one’s business but the families involved. To write the story in such a way as to bring into question a person’s physical state at this time is unjustifiable. To bring up an unrelated story of a family member’s job makes one question the author’s moral judgment. What would possess someone to write gossip when writing about a loved one’s death?

There are some personal things that should be left unsaid and not discussed, so as to give some comfort to the family. How would the writer like to read about a family member, of a loved one while giving the impression of wrong doing? How would any of us feel, having to deal with the sudden death of a loved one and then reading intimate details in a local newspaper? I would not want to be that desperate to sell newspapers.

No matter how you feel about someone, never forget, words cause as much harm as bullets and before you write or say something, ask yourself this question, “Would I like what was said? Would I be hurt by this?” The answer, is obvious!