Florence Heide

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Prolific children's book author Florence Parry Heide, whose work was illustrated by such notable artists as Edward Gorey, Jules Feiffer and Lane Smith, has died at her Kenosha home at age 92, her family said.

Heide died in her sleep Sunday night, one of her daughters, Judith Gilliland, told The Associated Press Tuesday. The Kenosha News reports family members and friends said Heide was in good health, and her death was unexpected.

"It was just her time, I guess," daughter Roxanne Pierce told the Kenosha News. "It came as a huge shock to me this morning. We had such a wonderful evening last night together. We watched a movie, made popcorn, laughed our heads off. It was very, very good, cozy and comfy. It made me feel good."

Gilliland said her mother, a longtime Kenosha resident, was the author of more than 100 children's books. Heide's works include mostly children's books, works co-authored with others, lyrics and poems She also wrote under the pseudonyms Alex B. Allen and Jamie McDonald.

Her most critically acclaimed work was "The Shrinking of Treehorn" in 1971, which was illustrated by Edward Gorey. The New York Times named it one of the best illustrated children's books of 1971.

Carthage College professor Marilyn Ward recalls times that she brought her entire class to the author's house.

"She was everybody's favorite, and she was such a fun person, always enthusiastic," Ward told the Kenosha News. "She had a real zest for everything she did."

In addition to Heide's daughters, survivors include sons David Heide and Parry Heide. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, and a son, Christen.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at Carthage College in Kenosha.



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