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Gerald Ensley, Tallahassee Democrat 5:51 p.m. EDT September 21, 2014

Dorothy Clifford, Jan. 13, 1930- Sept. 21, 2014 (Photo: Democrat files )

Dorothy Clifford, doyenne of the Tallahassee Democrat newsroom and arbiter of the Tallahassee social scene for more than 40 years, died Sunday morning.

Clifford, 84, died shortly after sunrise at her northside home, with her two daughters by her bedside. Clifford, who was under hospice care for the past month, had suffered lung and heart problems for a decade.

Clifford worked at the Tallahassee Democrat from 1959 until her retirement in 2001. She began her career as assistant women's editor, in a day when that was the name applied to the features/lifestyle section. She became the newspaper's women's editor in 1961 and in 1962 landed the newspaper a national award as the best women's section among small daily newspapers.

After a 10-year hiatus to raise her three children, Clifford returned in 1971 as assistant city editor, before moving back to editor of the women's section. She led the department into the 1990s, before seguing into a role as features reporter and columnist winning several national and state editing and writing awards.

For decades, Clifford was the newspaper's social historian. Most famously, she wrote the Democrat's weekly "Capital Scene" column a round-up of parties, gatherings and events laden with bold-faced names of those who attended. Though the term society column might make some wince including Clifford it was considered a badge of honor to be mentioned in her column.

The column demonstrated Clifford's extensive knowledge of Tallahassee families and made her a go-to source in the newsroom for background on many news stories. In the later years of her career, she was renowned for her obituaries on the passing of longtime Tallahasseeans, stories laden with details because she knew the people intimately.

"Dorothy was a gem for the Democrat and a joy to work with, for all of us who had that privilege," said Carrol Dadisman, Tallahassee Democrat publisher from 1981 to 1997. "For many years, her knowledge of Tallahassee and her faithful reporting of its people and events made us a better newspaper. Her reporting reflected the community, and her personality and dedication made her a great community ambassador for the Democrat."

Clifford was beloved for her personality, which was equal parts graciousness, charm, inquisitiveness and piercing intelligence. She insisted on good manners and decorum while also occasionally wielding a sharp tongue.

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Democrat legend Dorothy Clifford dies at 84