331 To William Cater 

29 November 1971

[Miramar Hotel, Bournemouth]

My dear Cater,

I am grieved to tell you that my wife died this morning. Her courage and determination (of which you speak truly) carried her through to what seemed the brink of recovery, but a sudden relapse occurred which she fought for nearly three days in vain. She died at last in peace.

I am utterly bereaved, and cannot yet lift up heart, but my family is gathering round me and many friends. There will be notices in Times and Telegraph. I am glad that you saw her still undimmed on Thursday (18th I think), before she fell ill on Friday night (19). I shall treasure your letter of 26th, especially for its last lines. Yours ever sincerely Ronald Tolkien.