Lynne Gessner

Gessner, Lynne
96, of Scottsdale passed away on January 24, 2016. Born of American parents in Banes, Cuba, she moved to the States at age 11, living in many interesting places including the Cedar Point Trading Post in Sanders, AZ. She was the author of 12 published books (two of them also translated into German), primarily children's historic adventure novels, and also authored an historical fiction about Latvians fleeing oppression during WWII, and an adult western book. Most of her books were based on family stories and personal experiences. The most successful, "Navajo Slave" was nominated for the Newbery Award and chosen to be made into a movie, however the lead actor died before shooting could begin. She received many awards and was honored as Outstanding Arizona Author in 1987 for her writing and listed in Who's Who of Writers. Her life was all about writing and she shared her passion by teaching writing classes at the community colleges for many years. Her loving husband, Malcolm Gessner, preceded her in death in 2010. She is survived by daughters, Dianne Doyle and Deb Gessner, grandson, Johnathan Doyle, and great-granddaughter, Cassandra Doyle. No service was held at Lynne's request. Angels Mortuary, Mesa.