The obituary notice of Deirdre Mary MCSHARRY

Deirdre understood that a glossy magazine like Cosmopolitan could change lives. Not only the lives of the people on her team, (which it did, massively so in my case), but also the thousands and thousands of readers who picked it up.
Your relationships, your sex life, your career, your look, your home, health, fitness, finances… no aspect was left unturned.
Deirdre chose me at the tender age of 25 to lead the charge to ‘Change your life one Saturday!’ introducing literally hundreds of weekend courses for readers on everything from management training to public speaking, car maintenance to computing, plus workshops on public speaking, sexuality, and assertiveness. All strictly not-for-profit. Looking back, it was audacious in its ambition, revolutionary even. But that was the essence of Deirdre. She was not only inspirational, she made a real difference by making things happen. She believed that with some expert pointers and practical help, the magazine could use its glossy platform to improve young women’s lives in every way. And still have fun! This notion built into a mini revolution.
For me, that’s her greatest legacy… making probably millions of lives better.

Dearest Deirdre who taught me everything about being an editor. How to write, how to hone, how to look and really see
. She was generous, encouraging, warm, steely and sometimes terrifying. From embracing the word processor while the Luddites trembled to predicting the health and fitness boom that would wing its way from California, and launching Zest, Deirdre was always fearlessly ahead of the curve. She revelled in spotting and nurturing talent. She was funny and wicked and a wonderful hostess. I loved the parties she gave for the staff and way she opened up her home to us all. I was a shy and almost silent 20 year old when I first met Deirdre. When I was 32 she told me I would succeed her as Editor. Thank you Deirdre for the making and shaping that fashioned my whole working life.

There's not a day that goes by when I don't thank my lucky stars I fell into the orbit of Deirdre McSharry. How did I get the job hundreds of others were after? She discovered in my interview I had a passion for theatre, enunciated properly, and didn't bite my fingernails. From that day onwards, she worked me hard, but rewarded me with opportunities, shaping and training me for a future life on Fleet St. Her peals of delighted laughter were a feature of daily life on Cosmo, but we dreaded her temper (which was always restrained); worst of all was her disappointment. She had high expectations of us - her young, unruly team -and of herself. During her editorship, Cosmo broke through the 500k circulation barrier - a massive achievement then; unimaginable now. She loved a party, getting interesting people together, inviting the great and the good and being a brilliant hostess. She was a vivid and colourful personality, who was gifted at spotting and encouraging talent in everyone from artists and writers to photographers and lowly office juniors. I will always remember her with deep affection and respect; Cosmo taught me invaluable lessons and gave me lifelong friends, and I will always be thankful to Deirdre.
Sue Peart
Cosmo: 1978 - 83

I was briefly under Deirdre’s wing in the late 70s on Cosmo as a journalistic ingenue. First proper job and I was mesmerised by her. I’d never met anyone like her and thought working for her was amazing. A really talented editor with a mind like a laser and a marvellous warm sense of humour combined with a love of the absurd.

How lucky was I to be one of the Cosmo girls under Deirdre's leadership! She set the benchmark for every women's magazine editor since. It was a real education working for her - she improved my writing, promoted me and then pushed me out of the nest to a job she'd heard about on the New York Daily News. I stayed there three years. That was Deirdre - always encouraging. You always wanted to give her your best. And if she did tweak your copy, curses, it was always so much better. With her great charm and way with words, she twisted the advertisers around her little finger. Deirdre cared about all of us Cosmo girls in those glory days that she created. Many of us owe our careers to her. She was kind and generous to me and to my family. Thank you so much, Deirdre!