Charlotte VALE-ALLEN

CHARLOTTE VALE-ALLEN 1941 - 2023 On January 12, 2023, at the age of 81, Charlotte Vale-Allen of Norwalk, Connecticut, passed away surrounded by her friends and loved ones. A world-recognized author and dedicated advocate for women's rights, Charlotte was born in Toronto in 1941 and lived in London, England, where she worked as a television actress and singer. She returned to Canada briefly in 1964, performing in cabaret revues until she immigrated to the United States in 1966. Charlotte appeared in theatrical productions and sang in nightclubs and on cruise ships, before settling in the New York metropolitan area. Shortly after her marriage to Walter B. Allen, Jr., in 1970, she began writing and sold her first novel Love Life (Dell) in 1974. Her memoir about childhood abuse and trauma, the acclaimed Daddy's Girl (Wyndham/Simon & Schuster), was the first book she wrote, but in 1971 it was deemed too controversial by editors. It wasn't until 1980, after she'd gained prominence as a novelist, that the groundbreaking book was finally published. As one of Canada's most successful novelists, with over seven million copies sold of her 38 novels, Charlotte was published in all English-speaking countries and has been translated into more than 21 languages, including braille. Her book, Destinies (Berkley), was a 1982 New York Times bestseller. Her writing dealt with issues concerning women at the time, offering an empathetic voice marked by a measure of optimism. "My strongest ability as a writer is to make women real," she once said, "...to take you inside their heads and let you know how they feel, and to make you care about them." As a trauma survivor with a generous spirit, her affinity for the underdog informed her perspective and she always sought to help and empower others who'd survived abuse. Charlotte was also a film buff and amateur photographer who enjoyed art, international travel, and adored spending time with her twin grandchildren. She eventually divided her time between Toronto and Norwalk, the two places she loved most. She found cooking and needlework therapeutic and was a shark at the poker table. Charlotte is survived by her daughter, Kimberly, and son-in-law, Timothy, along with her grandkids, Bodhi and Sloane. She was predeceased by her brothers, William Nobleman and Leonard Nobleman. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to High Watch Farm in Kent, CT, an organization that was close to her heart.