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 was 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)
Photo Gallery
Memory Wall
Favorites
