For the last three weeks I have borne a sombre secret, previously known only to Dorothy's family and very closest friends. As she was recovering from the blood clot that you all know about, it was discovered that she was suffering from cancer of the liver and pancreas and that it was incurable. It proved impossible for her to stay at home so she entered an Edinburgh hospice - the same one where her own mother had comfortably spent the last two weeks of her life - where she has been very well cared for. I have to report that our beloved Dorothy passed away yesterday afternoon (Friday 9th Nov 2001), quietly in her sleep without pain.

Please forgive the family for not revealing anything sooner. Dorothy's hope, once she had taken a few days to set her affairs in order with the same indomitable spirit and humour that she has always had, was that she would have some time to be more directly in touch with friends and family both at home and in the wider world. Sadly, a rapid series of downturns in her condition snatched that time away. We can console ourselves, though, that she was well looked after and entirely herself to the end.

We readers have lost the finest author we are ever likely to encounter; I and many others have lost an open-hearted and generous friend; and Scotland has lost one of its finest daughters and most energetic ambassadors. We will all mourn her passing and grieve in our own ways, but I think perhaps we must try not to feel too sad, for she didn't want people to be upset at her death - she lived as happy and fulfilled a life as is possible, and we must celebrate that and think ourselves fortunate to have shared a little of it.

Some of you may wish to mark her death in some way. I have set up an Online Book of Appreciation and Condolence on the website and would be glad to see entries from anyone who wishes to contribute. (This is now closed but is archived on this site)

Remembering the reaction following Alastair's death a few years ago, I suggested that there might be some thought given to suggesting a charity or trust that was felt an appropriate place for anyone wishing to make a donation in her memory. Previously, at the generous suggestion of her sons, Dorothy had been able to turn down bids from various libraries for her extensive archive and has given it as a bequest to the National Library of Scotland - for which she was a trustee and where of course she did a great deal of her research. A trust has now been set up to maintain that archive, which contains all her research and manuscripts and also includes Alastair's papers, and allow it to be catalogued and accessed for future research. This seems to me to be an excellent way of preserving her memory and knowledge for the benefit of all. The Dunnett Archive Trust

With my very best wishes to all of you at this unhappy time

Bill