Sister Carol Anne O'Marie, 1933–2009.

Janet Rudolph announced the sad news of the May 27th death of Sister Carol Anne O'Marie, creator of the Sister Mary Helen mysteries. I remember her once telling me she wrote her novels for relaxation—a diversion from the hard realities that she saw in her day-to-day work. Another of my cherished memories is attending a luncheon during one Bouchercon. I was sitting at a table with Sister Carol Anne and Gar Anthony Haywood, as Gar—who had served on a panel with Sister Carol Anne and is himself no mean man with a quip—told her, "Sister, you are a riot."

Donations in Sister's memory may be made to the homeless shelter she cofounded, A Friendly Place, 2298 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, CA 94612, or to her order, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, 11999 Chalon Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90049.