Perry, former Union-Tribune biz reporter, dies at 65

Ann Perry, a former San Diego Union-Tribune business writer whose nationally syndicated personal finance columns ranged from new-baby planning to ethical wills, died Saturday at the age of 65, reports John Wilkens of the Union-Tribune.

Wilkens writes, “Her work in the 1990s and early 2000s predated the many Internet-based experts, and it came amid increasing economic anxiety as workplaces moved away from traditional pensions, college educations became more expensive, and mortgages grew riskier. People were eager for information and advice.

“Perry helped arrange phone-in sessions with local financial planners, and then wrote about the most-asked questions. She helped line up county residents for ‘money makeovers,’ also done with financial planners, and shared with readers the steps recommended for more secure futures.

“‘It takes a lot of talent to get people to talk about their finances and be OK with it,’ said Liz Douglass, a friend and former newspaper colleague. ‘Ann did it all the time. She was so kind and compassionate that people were comfortable opening up to her.'”

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