Jane Brody's Personal Health column in The New York Times was like a weekly letter from a wise Mom.
The 81-year-old Brody said farewell to her readers Tuesday, leaving a huge void in the newspaper's Science Times section.
After joining the Times in 1965, she began writing the Personal Health column in 1976, giving reliable information on diet, exercise, prescription drugs and medical procedures.
Like other top food and science journalists, she gave clarity to difficult information.
Jargon-free and conversational, her work undoubtedly improved and added years to people's lives. She often gave personal testimony to the benefits of her prescriptions.
In her farewell column, she notes the changes in medicine that she has documented, such as shifting dietary rules on which fats are harmful. Now the Mediterranean diet and olive oil appear best, but that could change, she points out, calling for someone else takes up her mission.
Brody issues a mea culpa for an early column that touted conversion therapy to cure homosexuality. She also recalls a column about masturbation delayed for years until the Times editors got over their squeamishness.
Covering an open field of topics with wit and style, she made her patch of space at the back of the Science section a garden of nutrition, medicine and science writing.
Tuesday mornings won't feel the same without Jane's greetings.
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