Linda Klitch (Hooton), who served as publisher of Kamloops This Week during the 1990s, died suddenly on Monday, Sept. 26, following surgery in White Rock.
She was 60.
Klitch - who, during her decade at the helm of KTW, was named Kamloops’ businesswoman of the year - had been on the mend after surgery last month for a benign tumour on her pancreas.
At the time of her death, Klitch was publisher of the Peace Arch News in White Rock and a member of the B.C.-Yukon Community Newspapers board of directors.
“We have lost a very loving woman who will be sadly missed,” said KTW publisher Kelly Hall.
“Linda Hooton was a very compassionate lady who convinced me to climb into the newspaper industry back in the early 1990s. Linda’s commitment to our community and the people of our community was very evident each day she lived in Kamloops.
“I would marvel at the energy she brought to our business and to businesses she worked with each day,” Hall said.
“She was a very caring individual who always had time to talk and discuss challenges with all her employees.
“A leader in business circles, Linda was always asked to be involved in community events and she was always working tirelessly for various causes.”
Klitch began her career with Cariboo Press, a division of Black Press (former owner of KTW).
She moved to the Lower Mainland division in 1999 and held the position of publisher at Burnaby and Maple Ridge newspapers before moving to White Rock in 2000 as publisher of the Peace Arch News.
Since becoming Peace Arch News publisher in 2000, Klitch’s involvement in the community mirrored her contributions in Kamloops.
She was involved with the White Rock Surrey Community Foundation, the South Surrey White Rock Chamber of Commerce, Peace Arch News Vintage Affair and the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, to name a few endeavours.
Klitch is survived by loving husband David, four children - Clark, Amber, Preston and Denver - David’s son, Tyler, and several grandchildren.