Victoria "Vicki" Thompson

July  25th, 1948 • August  23rd, 2024
Long Grove, IL
Victoria "Vicki" Thompson

Obituary

Victoria Thompson, 76, of Long Grove, IL passed away on August 23, 2024 after a years-long battle with non Hodgkin's lymphoma. Known as Vicki, she was an award-winning, bestselling author of over 50 novels, including the Gaslight Mysteries and the Counterfeit Lady novels. She was also a college professor, mentor, fundraiser, and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Born Victoria Ellen Straface in Washington, DC on July 25, 1948, Vicki graduated from the University of Maryland in 1970. In 2012, she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA, a program for which she was also a professor from 2000-2023. Additionally, she taught in the Continuing Education Department at Penn State University. In 2012, Vicki won a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times magazine. In 2016, she was Guest of Honor at mystery fan convention Malice Domestic, and she was a frequent speaker at writers' conferences across the country.

In 1985, when Vicki was a stay-at-home mom in New Jersey, she published her first historical romance novel. She published 19 more before pivoting to the historical mystery genre in 1999. Her USA Today bestselling Gaslight Mysteries series follows socialite-turned-midwife Sarah Brandt and Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy as they solve murders in turn-of-the-twentieth century New York City. The Gaslight Mysteries have been nominated for six Agatha Awards, an Edgar® Award, and a Bruce Alexander Award. The twenty-seventh novel in the series, Murder in Rose Hill, was published in April 2024.

Vicki's second historical series, the Counterfeit Lady novels, features Elizabeth Miles, a young conwoman who uses her skills to right wrongs in early 1900s New York City. The Counterfeit Lady series has been nominated for the Sue Grafton Memorial Award by Mystery Writers of America. The seventh book in the series, City of Betrayal, was published in December 2023 and depicts the harrowing days leading up to women securing the right to vote in America, a story Vicki was proud to tell. Active in the writing community, Vicki was a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, a founding member and past president of Novelists, Inc., co-founder and past president of Pennwriters, co-founder and the first president of New Jersey Romance Writers, and a past board member of Romance Writers of America.

In addition to writing, teaching, and speaking, Vicki had a long and successful career as a non-profit fundraiser for March of Dimes and Lutheran Social Services (now SpiriTrust Lutheran) in Central Pennsylvania. She was also very active in the Rotary Club of Chambersburg, PA. In recent years, Vicki volunteered in local politics and served on the Board of Trustees of the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire, IL, a position she particularly enjoyed.

Vicki was predeceased by her father, Vincent Straface, and her mother, Mary Straface. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jim Thompson, her sister Sue (Joe) Bredekamp of Cheverly, MD, her daughter Lisa (Rob) Thompson of Long Grove, IL, her daughter Ellen (Dave) Thompson Nemetz of Los Angeles, CA, her three grandchildren, Liam Thompson, Ryan Thompson, and KJ Thompson, many cousins, and her beloved cancer support group. Vicki and her infectious laugh will be greatly missed by all who knew her. 

Donations can be made in Vicki’s memory to causes she cared about:
Cancer Wellness Center
Foundation for the Vernon Area Public Library District
SpiriTrust Lutheran
March of Dimes

Articles:
Penguin Randomhouse "Edgar® & Agatha Award Nominated Author Victoria Thompson Passes Away at 76"
Publishers Weekly "Historical Fiction Author Victoria Thompson Dies at 76"
Book Notification "Gaslight Mysteries Author Victoria Thompson Passes Away"

Newspaper Obituaries:
The Daily Herald
The Altoona Mirror
Public Opinion

Other Memorial Pages:
Legacy.com (Altoona Mirror)
Find a Grave

Links:
Victoria's Website
Victoria's Facebook Page
Victoria's X (Twitter)
Victoria's YouTube

Photo Gallery

Memory Wall

Post your condolences or share your favorite memories of Vicki here.


October 20, 2024
My 2nd cousin, memories of you visiting our family will forever be in my heart! With warm thoughts and prayers my deepest sympathy goes out to your family. You will be truly missed by all of them and your spirit will be eternally reflected in your life's work and novels.

With my deepest sympathy love your not so little cousin,
Ronna
Ronna Stallard
October 5, 2024
Lisa and Ellen, today’s celebration of your mother was a beautiful tribute to her life. I’ve been so sad and all of you have been in my thoughts. Cousins are so special especially when you are an only child. I have such special memories of the summers we spent at Grandma’s in Jonesborough. It seems we all have the Tucker laugh. When I hear my daughter, Sharon, laugh I have to smile because I think there it is. Again it was a beautiful remembrance. Love to all of you, Beth
Beth Moore Ellis
October 5, 2024
I was Vicki's editor at Berkley for two decades, before my retirement in 2014. During thirty years in publishing, I worked with many many authors, only a few with whom I became friends. Vicki was one. She was not only a gifted writer, she was also a kind and generous person. My primary editorial responsibility was science fiction and fantasy, But I love historical mysteries, and Vicki was my only author in that genre. So, if I took her work in hand and guided her through the editorial process, she reciprocated by guiding me though the world of mystery conventions. Seeing her once or twice a year at Malice Domestic and Pennsylvania Writers' conferences were high points of that year. Through her, I was introduced to a community of historical mystery writers, some of whom were former students of hers. I am quite proud of being an Honorary Member of the writing group Sisters in Crime and I owe that to her! But that was Vicki. She was a teacher, a bridge-builder, a warm and wonderful human being, who never hesitated to extend herself. Because of Covid , her own health issues and health issues in my family, I hadn't actually seen Vicki in several years. Still, I was hoping to in the future. Now that won't happen. I am saddened by that, Though, my loss, of course, isn't anything compared to that of her family. And to them, I extend my deepest sympathy, I know that her memory will indeed be a blessing to you, as it will be to me and many others. .
Ginjer Buchanan
October 5, 2024
Echoing the thoughts of others posted here, Vicki was not only an excellent writer, but also that rare find, an amazing writing teacher.

I first met Vicki at a day-long writing workshop on historical fiction just after she had published the third book in her Gaslight Mystery series. Vicki's morning session was so engaging and thoughtful that I just had to circle back to her afternoon session even though it was technically a repeat of the morning one.

Although I never had another opportunity to attend one of the many writing workshops Vicki gave afterwards, I feel privileged to have had that one time to have her as one of my writing teachers. I know her generosity of spirit and and deep well of writing knowledge will be sorely missed throughout the very large community of writers she touched over the years.
Joan Kasura
October 3, 2024
I am incredibly grateful I could meet Vicki during a visit to her alma mater, the University of Maryland, in May 2023. Vicki hadn't been to campus in many, many years, and it was an honor (and a lot of fun!) to host her and her sister, Sue.

Vicki was so kind, engaging, and appreciative, and she will be greatly missed.
Aaron Bobik
September 11, 2024
I had the great privilege of getting to know Vicki through writer conferences, joint author events, and private gab-sessions with a few other authors. She was the kindest, must generous person, with such a great sense of humor. She always had time for her fellow authors, just to listen or to offer some sage advice. I know she impacted so many people's lives through her books and her warm personality. She will be greatly missed.
Anna Lee Huber
September 10, 2024
I *met* Vicki 40 years ago when she snail-mailed me to say she wanted to publish her first romance under the name Vicki Thompson but was concerned readers would be confused. I naively suggested we could fix it if she used Victoria since I'm Vicki on my birth certificate. She agreed. Problem solved, right? Nope. For 40 years we got each other's fan mail, were asked to sign books we hadn't written, had hotel rooms cancelled whenever we attended the same conference and thoroughly confused members of Novelists Inc. when we served on the board together, We found it hilarious and became great friends. We shared a name, a love of writing and a solid friendship. I can't imagine the world without her.
Vicki Lewis Thompson
September 9, 2024
Vicki was a very good friend, always fun, always positive. She would get us (SHU) all together at every conference she attended. She taught me about writing cozy mysteries and I haven't looked back since. She was always introducing people to each other, bringing us into her circle of friends. She was an inspiration as a professor, as a student, as a gifted writer, and as a friend. I will do my best to pass her spirit on to others who need to learn to write, connect, or simply need to be included. My condolences to her family.
Nancy Parra
September 9, 2024
Vicki was one of the women in my life that served as a second mom/auntie/relative you're not related to. She was always so warm and kind to me, including me in family dinners, always curious about my life and my creative endeavors, and making me smile with that infectious laugh!! To say she will be missed is an understatement. My heart goes out to her family and loved ones, and to anyone that will miss her like I do. Rest well, Vicki.
Joanna Kelly
September 1, 2024
I am just a fan. A very dedicated fan. And I just heard that one of my favorite authors has died. My condolences to Victoria's husband and family. I am truly sorry for the loss of such a talented woman. She will be in my prayers and a candle will be lit for her. May She Rest in Peace.
Marcia S'Antulli-Senn

Favorites


What was Vicki's favorite Color?
Red
What was one of Vicki's favorite quotes?
"A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself." -Maya Angelou
What car did Vicki drive?
Red Mustang Convertible
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