In the past, I wrote about my passion for reading the “Cat Who” series of novels by Lilian Jackson Braun and puzzled over why the series trailed off in such a deflated way.  I pondered with the rest of her fans about whether or not the series was continued by a ghost writer, among other things.

Many of those questions were addressed when press releases popped up all over the Internet announcing the passing of Lilian Jackson Braun at the age of 97, just two weeks shy of her 98th birthday, on June 4th, 2011.  The New York Times version of the announcement gave me more reason to be inspired by her, citing that she made all of her life’s accomplishments without a college education (it’s subtly put, stating that “the Depression Era put a college education out of reach”).

I found other articles that went into detail about her being filled with regret at not having completed “The Cat Who Smelled Smoke”.  I’ve found forums alive with new activity speculating if Jim Qwilleran, Koko and Yum Yum will be brought to life on the screen – big or small, and suggestions for actors to play the lead role.  Tom Selleck is mentioned a lot and ironically, his image used to pop into my head often in reading the description of Qwill’s “luxurious mustache”.  I was watching a fair amount of Magnum P.I. episodes around the time I discovered these books in the early 90’s.

Now, I would like to see if anyone will write an obituary for her in the style of the Pickax tradition of framing the obituaries of it’s most respected citizens.  I think it would make a nice tribute to have in my library, near the bookshelf, where Qwill, Koko and Yum Yum live on.

Here is the announcement from the funeral home in Landrum, SC.