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Obituary for Lloyd Alexander

Lloyd Alexander, prominent DH author

Fantasy fiction author Lloyd Alexander, 83, of suburban Philadelphia, died May 17, 2007 at his home in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby.

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Upper Darby, he was a graduate of Upper Darby High School, attended West Chester State Teacher's College, Lafayette College and the University of Paris (Sorbonne).

Mr. Alexander was a prominent author of fantasy fiction for children and young adults and wrote more than 40 books.

He once said, "Shakespeare, Dickens, Mark Twain and so many others were my dearest friends and greatest teachers. I loved all the world's mythologies: King Arthur was one of my heroes."

Mr. Alexander counted among his accolades, the prestigious Newbery Medal, National Book Award, School Library Journal's Best Book of the Year and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.

Mr. Alexander received the Newbery for "The High King." One of his works, "The Black Cauldron," was made into a Disney film.

Considered one of the world's master storytellers, his volumes have been translated into 11 different languages. Among his literary memberships were P.E.N., the Author's Guild and the Philadelphia Children's Reading Round Table.

During WWII, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in France, where he was befriended by Gertrude Stein. It was also in Paris that he met and married his wife, Janine Denni, who died just two weeks ago.

Mr. Alexander was a member of the Church of the Holy Comforter in Drexel Hill and a member of the Upper Darby High School Hall of Fame. He considered himself an amateur "violinist of distinction." That distinction being the "worst in the world," yet he never let that stand in the way of his performance of Mozart.

Upon his death, Mr. Alexander's work space/office is to be moved to, and preserved by, Brigham Young University.

"I never did find out all I wanted to know about writing," said Lloyd Alexander, "and realize I never will. All that writers can do is to keep trying to say what is deepest in their hearts. If writers learn more from their books than do readers, perhaps I may have begun to learn."

His wife of 62 yrs Janine, died May 2nd, 2007. Mr. Alexander was also predeceased by his daughter, Madeline Khalil.

Survivors include his son-in-law, Zohair Khalil, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral Service was private.

Inurnment was in Monticello Mausoleum at Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill.

Funeral arrangements were by Toppitzer Funeral Home, Drexel Hill. .