Sunday crossword creator Sylvia Bursztyn dies

As Obituaries Editor Claire Noland reported Saturday, Times Sunday crossword puzzle creator Sylvia Bursztyn has died.

Bursztyn began creating crosswords for The Times in April 1980 along with puzzle partner Barry Tunick and continued on her own after Tunick's death in 2007.

Bursztyn's last crossword was published Sunday. Puzzles by Merl Reagle, which had alternated weeks with Bursztyn's, are now scheduled to run every Sunday.

The blog L.A. Crossword Confidential described Bursztyn's puzzles as an "institution for many Angelinos."

Readers were sorry to hear of Bursztyn's death.

Teresa Andrade wrote, "The Sunday Crossword puzzle has been part of my life for the past 20 years.  I was deeply saddened when Barry passed away, barely tolerated Merl, and then happy when I would get at least a Sylvia puzzle every other week.  I am deeply saddened again now that she is gone."

And Irma and Frank Bernard wrote: "We were saddened at the loss of Sylvia Burtszyn.  We always enjoyed her clever crosswords."

--Deirdre Edgar

Comments

[Donna Hurst]

Today (3/3/11) I finally learned why Sylvia Bursztyn's puzzles disappeared from the L.A. Times. I miss her and wish there had been a chance to thank her for sharing her work and wit. What else can come close to spending Sunday mornings with Sylvia?

[Cole Younger]

Sylvia's crosswords and collaborations brought chuckles and moans to many a Sunday morning for my wife and me. We will miss her.