May 8, 2021 Share
Rachel Zoll, who for 17 years as religion writer for The Associated Press endeared herself to colleagues, competitors and sources with her warm heart and world-class reporting skills, died Friday in Amherst, Massachusetts, after a three-year bout with brain cancer. She was 55.
Zoll covered religion in all its aspects, from the spiritual to the political, and her stories reached a global audience. But her influence was far greater than that. Other publications often followed her lead, and AP staffers around the world depended on her generosity and guidance.
“Rachel was one of the most universally beloved colleagues we had,” said AP’s managing editor, Brian Carovillano. “She was also one of the best reporters, on any beat. … She had a knack for finding the story or angle that no one else considered but is packed with insight and surprises.”
Rachel Zoll, much-admired AP religion writer, dead at 55
DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer
May 7, 2021
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1of5Associated Press Religion Writer Rachel Zoll, second from right, receives a visit in Amherst, Mass., on Oct. 26, 2018, from Managing Editor Brian J. Carovillano, editor at large Jerry Schwartz, and Deputy Managing Editor Sarah L. Nordgren after being awarded an Oliver S. Gramling Journalism Award for being AP s pre-eminent voice on religion for more than a decade. Zoll, who for 17 years as a religion writer for The Associated Press endeared herself to colleagues, competitors, and sources with her warm heart and world-class reporting skills, has died after a three-year bout with brain cancer. She was 55. (Cheryl Zoll via AP)Cheryl Zoll/APShow MoreShow Less
Associated Press Religion Writer Rachel Zoll, second from right, receives a visit in Amherst, Mass., on Oct. 26, 2018, from Managing Editor Brian J. Carovillano, editor at large Jerry Schwartz, and Deputy Managing Editor Sarah L. Nordgren after being awarded an Oliver S. Gramling Journalism Award for being AP s pre-eminent voice on religion for more than a decade. (Cheryl Zoll via AP)
Rachel Zoll, who for 17 years as religion writer for The Associated Press endeared herself to colleagues, competitors and sources with her warm heart and world-class reporting skills, died Friday in Amherst, Massachusetts, after a three-year bout with brain cancer. She was 55.
David Crary
Associated Press Religion Writer Rachel Zoll, second from right, receives a visit in Amherst, Mass., on Oct. 26, 2018, from Managing Editor Brian J. Carovillano, editor at large Jerry Schwartz, and Deputy Managing Editor Sarah L. Nordgren after being awarded an Oliver S. Gramling Journalism Award for being AP s pre-eminent voice on religion for more than a decade. Zoll, who for 17 years as a religion writer for The Associated Press endeared herself to colleagues, competitors, and sources with her warm heart and world-class reporting skills, has died after a three-year bout with brain cancer. She was 55. (Cheryl Zoll via AP)
Rachel Zoll, esteemed colleague, friend and AP religion writer, dead at 55
Zoll, an award-winning journalist, was admired and respected by colleagues and peers. She was a beloved member of the religion journalism community.
Associated Press Religion Writer Rachel Zoll, second from right, receives a visit in Amherst, Mass., on Oct. 26, 2018, from Managing Editor Brian J. Carovillano, editor at large Jerry Schwartz, and Deputy Managing Editor Sarah L. Nordgren after being awarded an Oliver S. Gramling Journalism Award for being AP s pre-eminent voice on religion for more than a decade. Zoll, who for 17 years as a religion writer for The Associated Press endeared herself to colleagues, competitors, and sources with her warm heart and world-class reporting skills, has died after a three-year bout with brain cancer. She was 55. (Cheryl Zoll via AP)