Sunday, August 21, 2011

Sandra Hyatt (Hyde), 1965-2011



(From the outgoing president of RWNZ:)


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).

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@abbygaines.com .
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@abbygaines.com



Thank you and kind regards

Abby Gaines

President, RWNZ Inc.


4 comments:

Geri Krotow said...

So sorry and saddened by this loss. Thanks for posting the information.

Christina Hollis said...

This is such terrible news - my heartfelt condolences to Sandra's family.

J Bennett said...

Sandra was amazing. Her books represented her amazing talent and her bubbling personality made her so easy to love. There are no words to express my sorrow for her family and close friends.
I'm blessed to have known her, even for a short time.

Unknown said...

I was saddened by the news of Sandray Hyatt's death. My thoughts and prayers to her husband and children, family and friends. The industry has suffered a tragic loss but it doesn't compare to the loss her family and friends now have to come to terms with.