Editorial

AILEEN LORBERG: DEFENDER OF THE LANGUAGE

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When it came to words, Aileen Lorberg was a master.

This longtime grammarian and Southeast Missourian columnist died Tuesday on her 88th birthday anniversary.

Her feisty wit and role as protector of the English language earned her some pretty influential friends.

For example, she corresponded regularly with James J. Kilpatrick. He once wrote in his nationally syndicated column: "She writes the best language column in the country." It was high praise from a fellow grammarian.

For many years, she wrote essays in her "Nip and Tuck" column in the former Bulletin Journal newspaper. From 1982 until her death, she wrote a popular language column for the Southeast Missourian. In 1981, her writing accomplishments earned her the Otto Dingeldein Award from the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.

Lorberg had a passion for grammar. She was an old English teacher who believed there is a right way and wrong way to write.

She demonstrated to all of us that quality is in the details. It is a compelling legacy this teacher leaves behind.