The Province newspaper’s past legislature journalist and a 14-year employee of the B.C. Coroners Service Barb McLintock has passed away Saturday.
The B.C. Coroners Service says she died early in the morning at the age of 68 from complications of recently diagnosed thyroid cancer.
Vaughn Palmer, the Vancouver Sun’s provincial affairs political columnist, said on social media that she was fair, accurate and had “Acute reporting skills. Could spot the loopholes in a government bill faster than anyone.”
In 1973 McLintock was just one of two women in the press gallery, and went on to become a trail blazer for women in journalism. She is being remembered as one of B.C.’s most legendary reporters.
“She was a brilliant, engaging, empathetic reporter who was there to look out for what was right and the little guy and she did that in spades like nobody else I’ve ever met,” said Alan Perry, a close friend and colleague at C-FAX 1070.
McLintock was not only a well respected journalist, she also worked with the B.C. coroners service for 14 years, ending up as media relations based in Victoria, the agency says she retired in 2017.
“I cannot say enough about the credibility, professionalism and experience Barb brought to the coroners service,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner in a statement.
“Barb was on a first-name basis with virtually every experienced journalist in the province, as well as most of the politicians. She collaborated with health authorities and other stakeholders on a number of committees and brought immense expertise and a solid common-sense approach to all of her interactions.”
John Horgan also took to social media saying “The world has lost a wonderful soul. Barb McLintock was a superior journalist and public servant. I will miss her blue ribbon photography at the Luxton Fall Fair. Condolences to her many friends.”
The world has lost a wonderful soul. Barb McLintock was a superior journalist and public servant. I will miss her blue ribbon photography at the Luxton Fall Fair. Condolences to her many friends.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) December 29, 2018
Many others are also posting online remembering her as a widely respected journalist and public servant.
McLintock’s interests and reach was widespread. She was named honorary citizen for The city of Victoria in 2002 and was involved with choirs around the province, girl guides and had a deep love for horses as well as a knack for needle work.
“She would be in the press gallery watching the politicians debate in the house and people would be like oh who is this quirky lady knitting over here well guess what she didn’t miss a thing,” said former colleague at The Province newspaper Mike Smyth.
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