Tricia Duryee, a well-respected technology journalist from Seattle, passed away at the age of 46 after battling breast cancer. Throughout her career, she covered the rise of wireless technologies, smartphones, e-commerce, gaming, and venture capital for various publications, including The Seattle Times, AllThingsD, and GeekWire. Duryee was known for her deep institutional knowledge of mobile technologies and e-commerce, as well as her ability to connect with business and technology leaders for insightful interviews.
During her time as a reporter for The Seattle Times from 2000 to 2008, Duryee played a significant role in the newspaper’s fast-paced online tech reporting. She was passionate about her work, always looking for new stories to tell and engaging with the people in the tech industry. Her determination, curiosity, and relentless pursuit of information made her a respected reporter in the field. Duryee’s efforts extended beyond her professional life as she dedicated herself to being a devoted mother to her two young boys despite her battle with cancer.
Duryee’s career highlights include her time as a staff writer for GeekWire, where she delved into topics such as Amazon’s competition with Walmart, eBay, and Jet.com. Her ability to bring engaging stories to life led her to moderate events like the GeekWire Summit and pioneer experiential journalism. She was also dedicated to her work as a room parent and involvement in the community, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to her family and the people around her.
Raised in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, Duryee was always observant, curious, and determined. Her love for journalism started during her time at Garfield High School, where she wrote for the school paper and developed a passion for storytelling. Despite facing challenges in school, she persisted and overcame obstacles to become a successful journalist. Her decision to attend the University of Oregon for its journalism program, instead of following her family’s tradition of attending the University of Washington, showcased her independent spirit and drive.
Duryee’s impactful reporting career included covering major events such as the 1998 school shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon. Her work as a student journalist deeply influenced her perspective on children and parenting. As a reporter, she was known for her understanding of corporate finance and willingness to dig into numbers. Colleagues and mentors remembered her as hard-working, smart, fearless, and kind, with a passion for storytelling that left a lasting impact on the industry.
A service and celebration of life for Tricia Duryee will be held on September 29 at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas, which was one of her favorite places to visit. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests donations to organizations that support cancer patients and their families. Duryee is survived by her husband, children, parents, sister, and extended family members who will continue to honor her memory and legacy.
