Catherine Cookson

‘I can and I will’

The English Author Dame Catherine Cookson DBE was born on the 27th of June 1906 and passed away on the 11th of June 1998. During her life she was awarded both the Order of the British Empire in 1985 and also made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1993. She became the United Kingdom's most widely read novelist, with sales that surpassed 100 million while keeping a relatively low-profile figure in the world of celebrity writers. Her inspiration was largely gained from her own deprived youth in the North of England which became the background for her novels.

After a long period of ill health she wrote what was to be her last novel, adding a preface that gave an insight into her own inner-thoughts and beliefs.

The preface to her final book (Silent Lady) concluded with the following narrative.

I do not believe in the dogma of any religious denomination but, I have said before, I believe there is a spirit coming from some power or source that runs through all of us. In some way that I do not question, I have been able to tap into that source. This is what has enabled me always to say ‘I can and I will' and it is working still and helping me through this traumatic time of illness; and sometimes so strongly that one can say I have given the power to create little miracles for myself; and for it, I am thankful.

So this story (Silent Lady - 2002) I dedicate to all those faithful readers who have become my faceless friends over many years, and I thank you for your loyalty to me.

I hope you will enjoy this last effort of mine, which came as an inspiration to me when I needed it most.

In the later part of her life with her husband Tom she returned to her native North East of England and settled initially in Haldane Terrace, Jesmond then moved to the small market town of Corbridge, which is near to Newcastle, and finally to Langley, a small village in Northumberland. With her health steadily declining with her husband Tom, they moved finally near to Newcastle upon Tyne. The last few years of her life, she was confined to bed giving her final television interview to a regional news programme from her sickbed.

Catherine Cookson passed into light at the age of 91, just sixteen days before her ninety second birthday, at her home in Newcastle, although her novels, many written from her sickbed, continued to be published posthumously until 2002. Her husband, Tom Cookson, died on twenty eighth of June 1998, just seventeen days after Catherine. He had been hospitalised for a week and the cause of his death was not announced. He was 86 years old.

Dame Catherine Ann Cookson DBE - 27th June 1906 to 11th June 1998.