The magazine industry has been saddened with news from the weekend that former Girlfriend magazine editor Sarah McCarthy (nee Cornish) has died at just 38 years of age following her battle with ovarian cancer.
McCarthy was diagnosed with the disease in late 2010 when an ovarian cyst was discovered to be cancerous during routine tests. After undergoing chemotherapy and a hysterectomy, the cancer continued to spread to her bowel, bladder and colon, reports News Limited.
McCarthy resigned from her position as editor of Girlfriend in August 2011 in order to look after her health. While she had been continuing her fight against the cancer, late last week she was taken to hospital due to feeling ill - where she then suffered a heart attack.
Pacific Magazines CEO Nick Chan wrote a statement to staff yesterday, reading: It is with sadness that I let you know of the passing of Sarah McCarthy, a valued and long serving staff member of Pacific. Our thoughts go out to Sarah's family and friends.”
NewsLifeMedia managing director Nicole Sheffield, who worked with McCarthy at Pacific Magazines, also spoke about the tragedy: "Sarah found the joy and beauty in anything. She was a joy to work with, her creativity and passion inspired so many young girls through their turbulent tweenage and teenage years. I truly loved working with her in her easy going yet graceful style, it is indeed a sad day and she will be missed by our entire industry."
Prior to Girlfriend, McCarthy was the editor of Total Girl for four years.