SALT LAKE CITY — The executive editor of Salt Lake Magazine died Monday after being swept into the ocean in northern California.
Mary Brown Malouf was 66.
Malouf was visiting the area, and had walked with her son to the end of the north jetty wall of Humboldt Bay about 12 p.m. when “a large wave suddenly swept over the wall,” according to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.
“Both individuals were knocked off their feet by the surge. The male victim was able to hold onto the jetty rocks, however Malouf was swept out to sea,” the release states.
Using ground crews, rescue boats and a helicopter, the U.S. Coast Guard, Samoa Peninsula Fire District and Humboldt Bay Fire Department recovered Malouf from the water at about 1 p.m. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Malouf worked as the executive editor for Salt Lake Magazine since 2007, and was known for her restaurant reviews, food and drink awards and insights into Salt Lake’s culture and art scene. A beloved member of the Beehive State’s culinary and art community, scores of people took to social media Tuesday to pay tribute to Malouf.
“Mary Malouf helped to shape the culture of our city. Mary was a passionate supporter and promoter of our dining and drinking scene,” the BTG Wine Bar wrote on its Facebook page. “We loved her company, and we will miss her dearly.”
“Mary was full of passion, irreverence and a very fiery spirit. She loved to travel and explore, and eat great food and wine. It was always an honor to have Mary dine with us,” wrote Cucina, a Salt Lake restaurant.
On Tuesday, Salt Lake Magazine staff posted a tribute to Malouf, remembering her as “our north star, undisputed culinary queen, and one of the brightest and funniest people we will ever know.”
“There was never a time there wasn’t Mary Malouf. Until now. Today, Mary died after a wave swept her out to sea off the coast of Northern California. Only she — perhaps the world’s foremost lover of Bronte, BBC mysteries and, of course, Moby Dick — would appreciate such poetic drama,” the magazine wrote on its Facebook page.
Malouf is is survived by her children Anna Malouf, Britt Brown, Kit Warchol and Sam Warchol, her brother David Waddington and sister Helen Duran, according to the magazine.
In her final letter from the editor on Nov. 25, Malouf offered up her advice on making it through an especially difficult year.
“We find relief — in raising our voices in protest and encouragement, in solo hiking, workaround ski vacations and, slightly absurdly, in playing games,” she wrote. “Because that’s what humans do: Make do in the hard times, keep hope for the future and — don’t forget this part! — laugh in the present. Cheers!”