Beloved author Dame Jilly Cooper, who was often referred to as the ‘queen of the bonkbusters’ for her scandalous novels, has died at the age of 88 following a fall
Renowned author Dame Jilly Cooper, often dubbed the ‘queen of the bonkbusters’ for her risqué novels such as Riders and Rivals, has sadly died at the age of 88. Jilly’s children, Felix and Emily, confirmed their mother’s passing following a fall on Sunday morning in a touching statement: “Mum, was the shining light in all of our lives.
“Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock. We are so proud of everything she achieved in her life and can’t begin to imagine life without her infectious smile and laughter all around us.”
Prior to her passing, Jilly had candidly discussed death, revealing that she thought about it “quite a lot” and pondered if “I’ll just arrive in Heaven and my dogs will run across the sunlit lawn to welcome me, and family members will be there.”
In line with Jilly’s wishes, her funeral will be a private affair.
However, she had previously shared her vision for her send-off, which included champagne and chocolates, the Royal Opera House orchestra, and a ‘big party’, reports the Mirror.
She previously told the Daily Mail: “For my own funeral, I think I’d want to look quite tidy, wearing a bra and a trouser suit, because of my legs. And I’d like a photograph of Leo and the children in the coffin. And champagne, chocolates, and a copy of Pope John Paul II’s record. It is hysterical: pop music going in the background, and him saying, ‘Be still my children, do not be frightened.'”
She frankly continued: “It would be a terrific suck-up present to either God or the Devil when I got there.”
Regarding the musical arrangements for the occasion, Jilly had crystal-clear ideas that were nothing short of spectacular.
Her vision included Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, alongside the Royal Opera House orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, which she believed would create a “terrific din in the churchyard at Bisley”.
But her plans didn’t stop there. Jilly also wanted the haunting strains of Lacrimosa from Verdi’s Requiem, the Good Friday music from Wagner’s Parsifal, and the evocative Brideshead Revisited soundtrack.
She had even considered particular readings, including a poem for her “drinking mates” entitled So We’ll Go No More a-Roving and Christina Rossetti’s When I am dead, my dearest. She also mentioned W.E. Henley’s Margaritae Sorori, a piece that moved her to tears.
Jilly highlighted one especially touching verse, which went: “So be my passing! My task accomplish’d and the long day done, My wages taken, and in my heart / Some late lark singing, Let me be gather’d to the quiet west, The sundown splendid and serene, Death.”
Going into greater detail, Jilly revealed she’d prefer “two priests to conduct the service” – one being a local village man called Mr Farrow and a dear friend named “Father Damian, of Prinknash Abbey”. She also mentioned wanting to be “buried near her dogs’ graveyard” with a “slate headstone by Roger Venables”, featuring the dates and a carving of her “best dog, Barbara.”
She fondly shared that her son Felix “said he wouldn’t want to share me with millions of people and would rather have a small gathering”, though she made clear that following the funeral, there would be a celebration in her Gloucestershire garden, “looking over the valley.”
Jilly explained that the “big party” could “spread over the lawn” with all her mates in attendance.
Whilst the funeral will remain intimate, a public thanksgiving service will take place in the months ahead at Southwark Cathedral to celebrate the writer and her extraordinary life, which reflected the vibrant personalities she brought to life in her work.
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