Victoria Thompson, 76, of Long Grove, IL passed away on August 23, 2024 after a years-long battle with non Hodgkin's lymphoma. Known as Vicki, she was an award-winning, bestselling author of over 50 novels, including the Gaslight Mysteries and the Counterfeit Lady Novels. She was also a college professor, mentor, and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Born Victoria Ellen Straface in Washington, DC on July 25, 1948, Vicki graduated from the University of Maryland in 1970. In 2012, she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA, a program for which she was also a professor from 2000-2023.

Starting in 1985, Vicki published 20 historical romance novels before pivoting to historical mysteries in 1999. In 2012, she won a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times magazine, and she's been nominated for numerous other awards, including Edgar and Agatha Awards. Vicki also had a long and successful career as a non-profit fundraiser for March of Dimes and Lutheran Social Services (now SpiriTrust Lutheran) in Central Pennsylvania. In recent years, she volunteered in local politics and served on the Board of Trustees of the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire, IL, a position she particularly enjoyed.

Vicki is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jim Thompson, her sister Sue (Joe) Bredekamp of Cheverly, MD, her daughter Lisa (Rob) Thompson of Long Grove, IL, her daughter Ellen (Dave) Thompson Nemetz of Los Angeles, CA, her three grandchildren, Liam Thompson, Ryan Thompson, and KJ Thompson, and her beloved cancer support group. Vicki and her infectious laugh will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A memorial service will be held at a later date.