My friend, Penelope Niven, passed away yesterday. Her passing was sudden; the quickness both
shocking and a mitzvah. Pena-lope to
some, Penny to more, this elegant woman will be missed by all who knew her and
many who didn’t.
Others will recount her many accomplishments; her books
ranged from meticulously researched and painstakingly written biographies of
Carl Sandburg, Thornton Wilder and others to “The I Hate to Chew Cookbook – a
gourmet guide for adults who wear orthodontic braces.” But, I think her greatest accomplishment was
the pleasure her company gave to those, from a teenager working an internship
with her to those with many degrees and other titles, earned or honorific, who were fortunate to be able to spend time
lunching, or writing, or book clubbing or enjoying other extended interaction
with her.
Letter published in slightly different form: Winston-Salem Journal 09.03.14
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