Our dear friend Anne Perry died this week, on April 10, 2023, after a lengthy illness. She was 84.
Anne has meant so much to SiWC for so long, it’s hard to find the words to say goodbye. As one of the foundational presenters at the conference, so many of my memories of Anne are intertwined with conference events. She’s been a cast member of Slade’s Shock Theatre since the very first performance. She’s given more memorable keynote speeches and workshops than I can count. And the connections she forged over the years with other writers were invariably kind, insightful and above all, encouraging.
To her fans, Anne was the author of more than 100 works of fiction and non-fiction, totaling more than 26 million books world-wide. But it was in Surrey at our conference that Anne felt most at home, safely surrounded by people who loved words and stories as much as she.
Today, we invite you to remember Anne – whether through her books, something you learned from her, or a personal interaction. The world is a richer place for having had Anne in it, and we shall all miss her terribly.
~kc dyer
Editing to add this picture of Anne, deep in discussion with Michael Slade. A favourite memory!
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Kate Kading
Over the past 9 years at SiWC, the MANY members of Table30 have countless memories and learning moments with the distinguished Anne Perry. At what will now be known as her last conference with us, I had the absolute pleasure to have dinner with Anne and fellow beautiful authors Katherine Johnson and Brenda L. Murphy. It was one of those accidental and magical moments that tend to happen when you least expect. Everyone had pretty much departed, the conference over, the foyer empty, the lounge quite loud, and Anne walked in. We invited her to join us and spent the next 2 hours entertaining each other with stories from each of the vastly different regions us 4 live in. We will never forget her sharp wit, direct teaching, excellent humor, and, of course, the words she leaves as her legacy. Did we really get to interact with her as a colleague all these years? Yes, we did. Because that was her way and the way of SiWC. And for that we will always be grateful. Rest easy, dear lady.
Carol J. Garvin
I think Anne was at every conference I’ve attended, just as Jack Whyte was–both were always such an integral part of the weekend’s landscape. I had an elderly aunt who adored Anne’s mysteries and was thrilled when I gave her an autographed copy for Christmas one year. Thereafter, at every conference, Anne made a point of asking after her, and signing another new edition which for several years, until my Aunt’s passing, became my much anticipated Christmas gift. 🙂
kc dyer
What lovely memories, Kate and Carol. Thank you for sharing!
~kc
Shari Green
Anne was a lovely and remarkable woman. My memories of her are sparkling threads in my SiWC tapestry. 💛 She’ll be so missed. Love and hugs to all who loved her.
Mike Carson
Such sad news again today. I agree with Carol: I still remember coming to SiWC the first time and being humbled in the presence of so many famous writers and talented people (incidentally, I still feel the same way 20+ years later). Lisa and I were fortunate enough to sit with Anne Perry at lunch one day–where I was somewhat surprised to see that even literary legends had to eat. Over our years coming to Surrey, we learned that everyone, from multi-million-copy-selling authors to unpublished dreamers, had a great deal in common. We shared the same hopes, faced the same challenges. We worried about our kids, our pets, and the state of the world. And, of course, we all share humanity, including its bitterest, inescapable component: mortality. Anne, famous for her detective novels, knew, as we all do, that there is always one final mystery to be explored.
Today, once again, we are all diminished. Still, it’s my deepest–perhaps childish–hope that somewhere, right now, Jack Whyte and Anne Perry are teaching the choir invisible the words to the “Hippopotamus Song” or rehearsing another cringeworthy Shock Theatre.
Rest in peace, Anne, and thank you for sharing your love of writing and humanity with us.
Victoria Zackheim
Anne spoke of Surrey with delight, warmth, affection. In your midst, she felt welcomed and loved. I attended one of the conferences and had the pleasure of teaching with Anne. In the years I’ve known her, she was happiest with you. I posted this on my Facebook page midweek:
It is my greatest sorrow to write that my dear friend, author Anne Perry, died Monday night. I had the honor of being at her side, and she died peacefully. Anne and I became friends ten years ago, and that friendship grew with every day. We were more than trusted and cherished friends to one another. I enjoyed the process of brainstorming with her about characters and plots of each novel (two full novels and a novella every year!). After she wrote a chapter, I downloaded it from somewhere in that cloud and edited. It was the most joyful “job” anyone could have. Many people have told me that Anne was the most brilliant person they’d ever known, and I concur. Whether it was literature, theology, politics, philosophy, world history, she was encyclopedic. A writer once asked her if she was familiar with the poetry of A.E. Housman. She smiled and recited around a dozen of his poems. Her brilliance was great, but her kindness and compassion even greater. In those years of friendship, which usually included several daily phone calls, seven days a week, I never heard Anne say anything cruel. (Except for comments about a few politicians making trouble in her adopted country.) Her absence will leave a dark hole in my life that can never be filled. Anne, if you can hear me, thank you for making my life richer, and me kinder. You will always be in my heart.
Deborah White
Several years ago (before covid) I volunteered at SIWC. I had the good fortune to be the person to drive Anne to the Vancouver Airport. I pulled up outside the Sheraton and she popped into my car. I was in the middle of an opera phase. Me – “Hi Anne – do you happen to like opera?” Anne – “Absolutely. Turn that up.” So, she and I sang loudly to La Traviata all the way to the airport. It was absolutely delightful. She hopped out of the car, all smiles, and we promised to see each other the following year at SIWC.
I am saddened by her passing. She will be greatly missed for all that she was in the world. Farewell songbird.
Jenea Tallentire
Anne Perry was one of the most gracious and welcoming authors in my time attending SIWC – which is saying quite a lot. I had a very memorable blue pencil with her, where she used my manuscript as a stepping stone to a wide discussion of Byzantine history and aesthetics, which went long after the scheduled time, as I was her last booking. It was a delightful discussion for this historian turned fledgling writer.
The stories everyone is sharing have certainly inspired me – I can only hope to some day mirror something of her knowledge, work ethic, and generosity myself.