WAILUKU, Maui — Former Maui News editor-in-chief Nora I. Cooper, known as the "great matriarch" of the Maui Publishing Co., died Sunday. She was 86.

Cooper began her career at Maui Publishing in 1954, managing KMVI's radio and television stations until they were sold. Cooper was named editor-in-chief of The Maui News in 1975 and served in that position until her retirement in 1991. She also was vice president and general manager of Maui Publishing Co.

More than a decade after retiring from The Maui News, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a progressive and fatal disease of the brain.

Employees of The Maui News remembered Cooper as a tough but tender boss who sometimes filled in as a second mom to her workers. "Mrs. Cooper may have had a gruff demeanor, but she had a big heart," chief photographer Matthew Thayer said.

No public funeral is planned for Cooper, who was born Dec. 23, 1922, in Edmonton, Alberta.

Cooper was married to Howard F. Cooper for 55 years, and helped care for him after he himself was diagnosed with Alzheim-er's. Howard Cooper died in 1999.

Cooper is survived by sons Kent and Chris; daughters Donna and Ann; brother Paul Heaton; sister Mary Belzil; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.