Bergen Record biz reporter dies at 46

Martha McKay, a business reporter for the Bergen Record in New Jersey, has died at the age of 46 from cancer, according to a recent story in the paper.

Jay Levin writes, “Whether interpreting telecom companies’ earnings reports or putting gadgets such as the latest cellphones or floor-cleaning robots to the test, Ms. McKay brought an Everywoman’s sensibility and a wry inquisitiveness to the job.

“‘I’m not entirely certain there’s a widespread need for the Wireless Camera Hunter,’ she wrote in a review of a tiny doodad that sniffs out surveillance cameras. ‘But if I were a celebrity bodyguard, or a Brooklyn mobster hiding out in Jersey City, I might pick one up.’

“‘Martha had the great skill of taking complicated, technical subjects and making them clear and understandable – even fun – for the reader,’ said Bill Donnellon, The Record’s business editor.

“One of Ms. McKay’s favorite assignments was Spotlight on Technology, which gave her the chance to do things reporters usually don’t get to do, such as ride a Segway or build a remote-controlled robot out of a computer mouse. The latter was a piece of cake for Ms. McKay.”

Read more here.