Marsha Traeger Gorman

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Longtime PPAGLA member and former Los Angeles Times staff photographer, picture editor and a two-time recipient of the Pulitzer Prize - Spot News award, Marsha Traeger-Gorman died on Thursday Oct 29th, 2020 from complications of kidney cancer. She was 61. Marsha served on the Board of Directors in 1993 and 1994. She was one of the trendsetting women hired by the Times in the early ‘80s, including Cassy Cohen Muronaka, Jayne Kamin-Oncea and Kari Rene Hall. 

“In the downtown office, Marsha shot the full range of assignments. From food in the studio to the presidential “traveling pool”, to crash and burn assignments.  Marsha could handle them all with a smile on her face and a professional demeanor.” said friend Rick Meyer.

“Marsha was a gentle soul with a wicked sense of humor. We literally had running jokes going for years,” said Meyer. “Marsha and I shared many laughs....we got on the hot seat together for playing wicked practical jokes in the Photo Department.” said Pat Downs, former LA Times colleague.

Another Times veteran, Ken Lubas said, “She always had that infectious smile and can do attitude.”

In 1993, Marsha transferred to the LAT Ventura Edition to be closer to her home in Camarillo. At the Ventura Edition she acted as an assignment and picture editor. In 1997, her career ended on a rocky slope on Anancapa Island when she slipped and blew-out her knee. She was on assignment for the paper. Larry Bessel, the photo editor  of the Ventura Edition, said “She was loved by all who worked with her, the photo staff, the editors and the reporters. She was always the bright spot in the Ventura Edition.”

Marsha had a host of friends who were not in the media profession. Many of them had colorful names like Big Diane, Reno and Babe (who may or may not have been in the mob according to Meyer).

Marsha is survived by her husband, Brian, who is a professional baseball umpire. Marsha was fondly nicknamed “Mush” by Joe Kennedy, another Times photog. Marsha was a much loved and admired member of the newspaper staff. 

She embraced her life as a MLB umpire’s wife. She would frequently travel to out-of-town games worked by Brian. She became a baseball insider and knew all the stadiums’ staff at the gates, dugouts and dressing rooms. She was generous handing out MLB swag. If she came to your house, you would end up with a baseball cap or a World Series baseball.

Marsha was totally devoted to Brian, whose MLB umpire number is 9. She arranged the home phone number to consist of mostly 9s. The number 9 was also incorporated in their home in many creative ways.

A lifelong Cubs fan, Marsha’s memorial will be held Thursday, Nov.5th at1:20PM, Chicago Cubs usual day game start time, naturally. Memorial information listed below.

Rick Meyer best put into words the sentiment that all of Marsha’s legion of friends feel today: “You will be missed Marsha. Wish you could have gone extra innings.”

Graveside services are Thursday November 5th at 1:20PM (Chicago Cubs usual day game start time) at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park: 2052 Howard Road, Camarillo, California 93012.

Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles https://www.ppagla.org/blog/2020/11/1/marsha-traeger-gorman