Lynne DeLucia, AME for News and my longtime former boss, has decided to cross over into the ranks of esteemed alumni.

Here’s Editor Naedine Hazell’s announcement to the staff:

After an impressive career that has included editing and leading the newsroom to a Pulitzer, a Polk and more SPJ Awards than anyone can count, it’s with great regret I am announcing that Lynne DeLucia has made the decision to leave The Hartford Courant. Her last day has yet to be determined but it will be this month.

As dozens of journalists would attest, Lynne has been a tireless advocate for her staff as well as narrative, investigative, political and town news journalism.

In her 17 years at The Courant, Lynne has been AME for news, state editor, and a bureau chief. While she did not achieve one of her fondest dreams – a New Haven edition – she was instrumental in many of the Courant’s most ambitious undertakings and was a steady hand during some of its most tumultuous moments. She has been resilient, committed and innovative as the Courant struggled through changes and, most recently, transformed itself into a multi-platform news organization.

The list of stories she’s been involved is too long – and illustrious — for one memo, but here are a few of the highlights: The lottery shootings, Mentally Unfit/Forced to Fight, our investigation of Haven Health Care, the yearlong About Women and Domestic Violence series, the Giordano scandal, the Maryann Measles slaying and so much more.

It’s hard to imagine the newsroom without her. We wish her well as she explores the next exciting chapter in her career.

Well put.

Lynne doesn’t suffer fools and can breathe fire when irritated. But as anyone who works with her knows, she is a compassionate person at heart who cares deeply about the people she works with. I know she agonized over some of the tough decisions she had to make, and I admire her for her backbone. She also set a high standard for covering the news. Perhaps that’s why she has decided to move on. If anyone knows how much of the institution’s fire power has been lost over the past few years, it’s her.

Anyway, welcome to the Refugee Camp, Lynne. You have already been nominated to serve as Executive Vice President of the Nantucket Outpost.