AWARD-winning former County Gazette editor Zena O'Rourke has died at the age of 53 after a year-long battle with cancer.

Taunton-born Zena was editor of the Cornish Guardian from July 2009 until March 2015, before returning to Taunton in April 2015 to take on the editorship of her home town paper.

Starting her career at Star Newspapers in Taunton, she then moved to the Bridgwater Mercury as a reporter, before taking on the role of assistant news editor at the Somerset County Gazette. She was then news editor of the newly-launched Yeovil Express.

From there she moved to the Western Gazette at Yeovil, as news editor then deputy editor.

From Yeovil she moved to Cornwall to take up her first editorship running the Cornish Guardian, one of the biggest weekly titles in the then Northcliffe Media stable.

Her move to Taunton last year was the culmination of a long-held dream to return to her home-town paper as editor.

Tim Dixon, who was editor of the Star when Zena first joined the industry and was later her editor at the Western Gazette, said of their time together at Yeovil: “I was extremely lucky to work with her. She was unflappable in the face of intense pressure, resourceful and resilient, at a time when our industry was going through massive changes.

“She also had the keenest news judgement and a wicked sense of humour. The young reporters loved her. She looked out for them and encouraged them. And I valued her support and friendship. She was a true newspaper enthusiast – a great journalist and a kind and generous friend.

“It was no surprise at all when Northcliffe chose Zena to edit the Cornish Guardian. She had tremendous insight, excellent news judgement and a real feel for her readership. She had vision too. She appreciated how newsprint and online journalism could work together.”

Ken Bird, who was her editor at Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil, added: “It was no surprise that she became a multi-award-winning editor.

“Yes, Zena was an outstanding journalist but that was only the tip of the iceberg. She was a wonderfully warm human being - bubbling with infectious enthusiasm and razor-sharp wit. A journo's journo if ever there was one.

“We dubbed her Zena, Warrior Princess, and she was a true warrior right to the end.

“We will all miss her beyond words - but we should all feel blessed that she came into our lives. May she rest in peace.”

Paul Jones, who worked as news editor at the County Gazette while Zena was editor, said: "As someone new to the area, I couldn't have wished for a better editor than Zena to get a feel for the newspapers, the patch and the readership.

"She was nothing but warm, friendly, encouraging and hugely positive - not to mention an extremely talented journalist.

"She helped me - and many others in the editorial team - immensely and will be greatly missed."

  • The funeral service for Zena will be held at 11am on Saturday June 18th at All Saints’ Church, Holcombe Rogus, Devon. Zena's wish was that mourners would wear something bright red - in celebration of her favourite colour.
  • Family flowers only; donations accepted at the service or sent directly to the funeral directors; H. Tredwin & Son Ld, 15-17 North Street, WELLINGTON, TA21 8LX. Donations will be disbursed to St Margaret's Hospice and Bowel Cancer UK.