A FishbowlDC reader writes in with this sad news:

Former Club President Sonja Hillgren died Dec. 19 after a long battle with brain cancer. Ms. Hillgren was president of the club in 1996.

Ms. Hillgren was senior vice president/editorial for Farm Journal Media, the parent company of Farm Journal, the magazine she edited from 1995 to 2004. She became editor after serving as the magazine's Washington editor for five years. She also worked for United Press International and Knight-Ridder Newspapers.

A native of Sioux Falls, S.D., she held bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Missouri and was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.

"Sonja gave so much to the National Press Club," current President
Jonathan D. Salant said. "We mourn her passing and offer our condolences to her family and friends."

The club's Fellowship Committee plans to hold a memorial service at a later date.