QUEENSBURGH writer of children’s books, Eileen Molver, has died at the age of 77.
Born on 8 May 1936 in Durban, Eileen was the only child of Margaret and George Lusted. Eileen died on 22 November after a year of illness.
Although doctors could not pin-point what it was that was making her ill, she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer after her death. She collapsed and died in hospital outpatients just before having a routine check-up.
She was married to Eric Molver and she had four sons, Rex, Roger, Kevin and Rory.
Eileen started writing while she was in high school where she had a number of articles published in the Outspan magazines. At the time of her death she had 26 books published and had worked with numerous other South African writers on a number of books that she had co-written and ghost written. Eileen was considered a educational author as most of her books were educational books aimed at young children. Most recently Eileen had started writing specifically for black children with the view that black children had to relate to stories in order to be interested in reading.
In 2000 a series of her workbooks were used by the Department of Education as set activity books in isiNguni language schools. She wrote in English, Afrikaans as well as various Nguni languages including IsiZulu and SiSwati.
Friends and loved ones gathered at her Queensburgh home on 30 November for a memorial service to celebrate her life.
Eileen is survived by her husband, three sons and nine grandchildren. Her ashes were placed in the Molver family’s wall of remembrance.
