Date: June 7th, 2010

Good afternoon,

Attached is a note prepared by Patriot-News Publisher John Kirkpatrick on the passing of long-time Circulation Director Betty Way. The obituary follows:

Everyone,

Betty Way, our long time circulation director, passed away this morning according to her daughter-in-law.

It is unclear what happened. We also don't have any details related to services as of now.

For those that don't know, Betty was a pioneer in the field of circulation in particular and in the newspaper industry in general.

She graduated from high school at the top of her class. She grew up on a farm. But the economic realities of the time and the sense of what a woman should or shouldn't do conspired to keep her from college. Instead, she worked at a number of jobs before coming to The Patriot-News as the circulation secretary.

When Ray Gover arrived he recognized that she really was the person with the deep understanding of how the circulation department ran or didn't run. He put her in charge. She was among, if not the, first woman to run a circulation department. She also rose quickly through the ranks of I-SCMA (Inter-State Circulation Managers Association -- a multi state association that includes Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware and District of Columbia) to become president. Again, the first woman in that position.

When she took over here she cleaned up numerous vexing issues with our circulation system. Along with Ray she moved us from independent distributors to a system where we have control. She led the charge to move us to our present distribution center model of distribution. The list goes on an on.

She also had the respect of the entire industry and was at the forefront of many of things we take for granted today. It was not unusual for someone from the Washington Post or the Baltimore Sun or the Morning Call to call her in an effort to get some information or help.

She also had her own unique style and way of doing things. It was, as they say, "old school." People here understood it. People at other places talked about it. But it worked for her.

When we moved to our present distribution system model the district sales managers moved from more of an office job with business attire to warehouse type facilities in the middle of the night or the very early morning. She still wanted them to wear their business attire after moving papers all night. I suggested Patriot-News blue denim work shirts. We argued. Finally, I said, not more arguing, just get the shirts for both the men and women.

A few weeks later, the shirts came in. She sent one to me. They were really nice. I was pleased. I then saw that there were BB (Bill Blass) logos on the cuffs. She had gotten the shirts, designer shirts. It still makes me laugh.

She loved The Patriot-News and worked night and day to make us better.

But her real love was her son Fred and his wife Diane and their family. She actually gave them her home and she moved into the basement which she had redone into an apartment. She also worked part time helping out Fred with his lawn and snow removal business.

As we get more information we will pass it around. But I wanted everyone to know.

kirk

- Obituary -

Betty J. Way 69, of Harrisburg, died Monday, June 7, 2010, at her home.

Mrs. Way was born in Harrisburg, and was the daughter of the late Daniel and Mabel Bolton, Carl. She retired, after 40 years of service, in 2003, from the Patriot News, where she was the Circulation Director. She was a member and former president of the I-SCMA

After retirement she enjoyed giving of her time volunteering. She volunteered with the West Hanover Lions Club and was very dedicated to the West Hanover Parks and Recreation.

She enjoyed hunting and fishing with her grandsons and loved working in her flower beds. She loved helping her son with his landscaping business.

Mrs. Way was the widow of Frederick Way, who died on June 24, 1965.

Mrs. Way is survived by her son Fred (Diane) Way of Harrisburg; three Grandsons, Jonathan, Karl and Travis Way.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 11, 2010, at 11 A.M., at the Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church, 175 N. Fairville Ave., Harrisburg. The Rev. Jennifer Deutsch Thomas, officiating. Burial will be in Shoop's Cemetery.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 6-8 P.M. at the Hoover Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., 6011 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg, and on Friday from 10-11 A.M., prior to the service.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3211 N. Front St., Suite 100, Harrisburg, Pa. 17110.