New Zealand Romance Author Sandra Hyatt Dies

Barbara Vey -- August 23rd, 2011 - Publishers Weekly

Sandra Hyatt

I am very sad to have to write that the romance community has lost another author. Author Sandra Hyatt suddenly passed away on Sunday at the age of 46. She is survived by her husband, Scott Hyde, and 2 children.
The following statement came from the Romance Writers of New Zealand:

Sandra Hyatt (Hyde), 1965-2011

It is with deep sadness that I announce that longtime RWNZ member, Sandra Hyde (published as Sandra Hyatt), died in hospital yesterday – Sunday August 21 – after being taken suddenly ill while attending RWNZ’s conference in Auckland.
Those of you who saw her at the conference cocktail party on Friday night, her usual bubbly self, will find this news hard to believe. However, as we understand it, Sandra had an undetected cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which would have been present since birth. This weekend, the AVM caused a bleed in her brain. Its location and severity made it inoperable.
As an organisation, we mourn the loss of an RWNZ member renowned for her warmth and generosity, and of a talented writer. As individuals, we mourn the loss of the best kind of friend. Even more, our hearts go out to Sandra’s husband Scott Hyde, and their teenagers Sarah and Matthew.
Sandra’s funeral will be held this Thursday August 25, at 1pm, at Clevedon Presbyterian Church, 3 Papakura-Clevedon Road (at the roundabout in the middle of Clevedon).

Cards and messages of condolence can be sent to Scott and the kids at:
191 McNicol Road
Clevedon
RD5
Papakura 2585
New Zealand

RWNZ would like to put together an album of photos of Sandra for her family – this may be an electronic album, given that many of us will have photos taken on digital cameras and cell phones at resolutions too low for decent printing. If you have any photos, or any questions, please email them to abby at abbygaines dot com (please substitute @ and .)
If you have any photos taken on the weekend, those might of use for Sandra’s funeral. We would love to receive them as soon as possible – again, please email to abby at abbygaines dot com (please substitute @ and .)
Thank you and kind regards
Abby Gaines
President, RWNZ Inc


Bottom Line: “Let me tell you, being able to wear pajamas to work if I choose sure beats having to wear a suit.” ~ Sandra Hyatt