Blockbuster writer Vincenzi dies at 78
THE four daughters of best-selling author Penny Vincenzi said yesterday she had “always wanted to die at her typewriter”.
Paying tribute to their 78-year-old mother, who died this week, they revealed she was “still galloping through her new novel” only days before the end.
Vincenzi, a former fashion journalist, penned 17 novels in a writing career spanning three decades.
She began with Old Sins in 1989 and her most recent work, A Question Of Trust, was published only last year.
Her books, which sold seven million copies, often involved strong women, romance and family secrets. Her best sellers included The Best Of Times, An Absolute Scandal, An Outrageous Affair and A Perfect Heritage.
Daughters Polly Harding, Sophie Cornish, Emily Gunnis and Claudia Vincenzi said in a statement: “We are incredibly touched and overwhelmed by the tributes to Penny from the industry and her readers. Although we knew how exceptional and special she was, we’re so grateful many others knew her that way, too.
“To us she was a mother first. We knew her kindness, care and constancy. She often said that the most important thing a mother can do for her children is to be in their corner, and she was, every day, every time.
“In her later years she met many challenges with her health, but was adamant to remain, in her own words, ‘cheerful and positive, someone the grandchildren remembered as happy and fun to be around’. She always said she wanted to die at her typewriter. Only last week she was still galloping through her new novel, so she fulfilled her ambitions to the last.”
They spoke of their mother’s fun side, recalling activities as varied as pantomimes, picnics, riding, surfing, ballet and “windy muddy walks”.