Shropshire Star

Family pays tribute after popular Shropshire author Pauline dies at home

An award-winning Shropshire author has died after a short illness.

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Pauline Fisk wrote several books for children and teenagers over the past 25 years and more recently a book about life in Shrewsbury based on her experiences. She died at home in Shrewsbury on January 25 aged 66.

Some of her highly acclaimed novels include In the Trees, Flying for Frankie, Sabrina Fludde and Midnight Blue.

Midnight Blue, her first novel, won the Smarties Prize in 1990 and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year Award.

In a tribute to Pauline, her family said: "It is with such sadness that we announce the death of our wonderful wife, mum, sister and grandmother, Pauline Davies (Fisk).

"Her illness was short and unexpected, but we enjoyed some precious times with her right up until the end.

"In our family it was always Pauline who told the stories. So now, when it comes to finding the right words to pay tribute to her, we find ourselves tongue-tied. Our words cannot express our grief and loss.

"Her words, of course, perfectly capture the journey she's been on: it began as it always did with sweet solitary notes of music that called to her from somewhere beyond the sky.

"The world faded beneath her. Above, the music of the lonely pipe drew her on. Then the blue sky puckered into cloth-of-blue and drew aside for her, like curtains parting. The music called again and she passed straight through (Pauline Fisk, Midnight Blue, Oxford, 1990)."

Susan Caroline, owner of Pengwern Books on Fish Street, Shrewsbury, said Pauline will be "sorely missed".

She said: "She was a wonderful, lovely, generous and kind lady. She had such a presence and was always beautifully dressed. She was so kind and would do anything for you.

"Pauline was an award-winning author and a good writer. Her stories had a real depth and emotion and the characters were great. I will miss her tremendously."

Pauline's funeral is at 12noon on Thursday at All Saints Church, Worthen, followed by a reception at the Trinity Centre, Holy Trinity Church, Meole Brace, at 2pm.

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