AOPA copy editor Kristy O'Malley dies

Kristy spent her career in journalism, honing her superlative skills first at the daily Frederick News-Post and the weekly Gazette newspapers in Maryland, and then at the Daily Record in Rochester, New York. She brought her knowledge of grammar and style to AOPA in 2017, and while general aviation was a new frontier for her, she immersed herself in our community with great enthusiasm. She took an orientation flight in a GA airplane and completed ground school, and she rode in AOPA President Mark Baker’s Howard DGA in 2018.

A seasoned editor, Kristy handled daily deadlines with cool, calm precision. The best copy editors say the AP Stylebook is their bible. To Kristy, the stylebook was also her catechism and Book of Common Prayer. She was integral to the production of AOPA Pilot and AOPA Flight Training magazines. She also helped produce the AOPA ePilot and AOPA Flight School Business newsletters and other digital and online products. Kristy had time, energy, patience, and generosity for everyone inside and outside the organization.

Born in Camden, New Jersey, Kristy was a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan, and nobody was happier than she was in 2018 when the Eagles won the Super Bowl. She loved dogs, particularly golden retrievers, and considered it a great day at the office when she got to visit with colleagues’ dogs.

Kristy is survived by her companion, Gary Bowers; her brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Tommi (Gillespie) O’Malley, and their children, Colin and Katie, all of Mount Laurel, New Jersey; and hundreds of heartbroken friends who were blessed to know her.

A memorial service will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on June 19 at 18 West Third Street, Frederick, Maryland. Memorial donations may be made to Planned Parenthood or a charity of your choice.