A longtime Grand Forks Herald food columnist who went viral for her earnest review of an Olive Garden has died.
Marilyn Hagerty died Tuesday morning at the age of 99, the North Dakota newspaper reported, noting that funeral arrangements are pending.
“This is news of great impact at the Herald, for our employees as well as for the thousands upon thousands of readers who have followed Marilyn’s life through the pages of this newspaper for well over a half-century,” Herald Publisher Korrie Wenzel said in a statement. “Her contributions to the Herald – not only in print but as an ambassador for our product – have been countless. Her work ethic, wit and her wonderfully polite demeanor will forever be missed.”
Hagerty first wrote for the Herald in 1957 and became a regular contributor in 1959