When I was managing editor of The Herald-Sun from 1988 to 2005, one thing we always taught new copy editors who had just moved to Durham from some other place, usually up north, was the name Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans. In the newsroom, we referred to her as “Mary Dee Bee Tee Semans,” and it was important to know who she was because she cropped up in the news quite often.
I remember once years ago, when I had to go to the all-night Kroger at Lakewood for something for a sick kid, I ran into her pushing a shopping cart, wearing what looked to be a frilly cocktail dress. It was about 2 a.m. She was a true original.
I just learned that she died today at the age of 91. I didn’t know her, only edited stories about her and knew her when I saw her out and about, but I’m truly sorry to hear this news. She always seemed upbeat and cheerful, no matter the venue. I won’t go into her many accomplishments. You can read about some of them in the obituary story in The News & Observer.
My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
