Kay Gardella
Encyclopedia
Genevieve C. "Kay" Gardella (February 23, 1923 - April 13, 2005) worked at the New York Daily News for nearly sixty years.
Born in then heavily Italian-American Belleville, New Jersey
, Gardella joined the Daily News as a copygirl two years after graduating from the now-defunct Upsala College
. Over the remainder of the century Gardella worked her way through the ranks, interviewing everyone from Frank Sinatra
(one of the few female columnists he liked) to Edward R. Murrow
.
She was particularly close friends with Bob Hope
and his wife Dolores
. The paper named her radio and television editor in 1975, a critic in 1981, and finally a columnist in 1993. Gardella often mourned for the "golden age of Hollywood" and criticized declining values.
Gardella suffered from cancer in her final years. Her last column appeared on March 19, 2005. On April 13, 2005, she died at Cabrini Medical Center
in New York City
. She was married to the late Daily News reporter, Anthony Marino, for many years; she left behind several nieces and nephews.
Born in then heavily Italian-American Belleville, New Jersey
Belleville, New Jersey
Belleville is a Township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 35,926.-History:...
, Gardella joined the Daily News as a copygirl two years after graduating from the now-defunct Upsala College
Upsala College
Upsala College was a private college in East Orange, New Jersey, USA, founded in 1893. Construction of the campus started in 1900. The college closed in 1995, after several years of financial problems.-History:...
. Over the remainder of the century Gardella worked her way through the ranks, interviewing everyone from Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
(one of the few female columnists he liked) to Edward R. Murrow
Edward R. Murrow
Edward Roscoe Murrow, KBE was an American broadcast journalist. He first came to prominence with a series of radio news broadcasts during World War II, which were followed by millions of listeners in the United States and Canada.Fellow journalists Eric Sevareid, Ed Bliss, and Alexander Kendrick...
.
She was particularly close friends with Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
and his wife Dolores
Dolores Hope
Dolores Hope, DC*SG was an American singer, philanthropist and wife of actor/comedian Bob Hope.-Early life and career:...
. The paper named her radio and television editor in 1975, a critic in 1981, and finally a columnist in 1993. Gardella often mourned for the "golden age of Hollywood" and criticized declining values.
Gardella suffered from cancer in her final years. Her last column appeared on March 19, 2005. On April 13, 2005, she died at Cabrini Medical Center
Cabrini Medical Center
Cabrini Medical Center of New York City was created in the late 20th century by a merger of two Manhattan hospitals. It closed in 2008 due to financial difficulties....
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. She was married to the late Daily News reporter, Anthony Marino, for many years; she left behind several nieces and nephews.