Lynne “Angel” Harvey passed away at her River Forest, Ill., home last weekend after a yearlong battle with leukemia.
Known in the radio industry as “The First Lady of Radio,” she served as a producer and writer for her husband’s “Paul Harvey News and Comment” for decades, and was the first producer inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.
A remembrance and details of her broadcast career are posted on Paul Harvey’s site.
Bruce DuMont told the Associated Press: “She crafted the most successful radio career of all time. She was to Paul Harvey what Colonel Parker was to Elvis Presley.” He called the Harveys’ relationship “probably the greatest love story that I’ve ever experienced,” according to AP.
Lynne also developed and edited Paul’s feature “The Rest of the Story.” Described as a pioneer in women’s broadcasting, she created and produced “Dilemma,” a television program that became a prototype for the talk show genre, and also a syndicated television news feature that ran five days a week for 20 years.
Harvey served on several charitable boards, including the Infant Welfare Society, Prevent Child Abuse America, USO, Illinois Mental Health Association, Illinois Charitable Trusts and Advisory Committee, Joffrey Ballet and the Children’s Home and Aid Society. Additionally, she contributed to various animal welfare groups.
Lynne Cooper met Paul Harvey at KXOK in St. Louis; she was an education reporter, he was special events director, AP reported. At her death they’d been married for 68 years. They have one son, Paul Harvey Jr.
