Carol Ann Clark

West Hollywood, California – Carol Higgins Clark, age 66, died on June 12, 2023 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after bravely living with appendix cancer for three years. Carol grew up in Washington Township, New Jersey and was a graduate of Immaculate Heart Academy and Mount Holyoke College. Just two weeks ago, she joyfully attended the 45th anniversary reunion of her college graduation and was delighted to reconnect with many of her classmates.

Carol was a successful and acclaimed mystery writer and authored eighteen novels with Private Investigator Regan Reilly as the central character. Her first book DECKED was

nominated for the 1992 Agatha Award and the Anthony Award for “Best First Novel.” She followed with SNAGGED a year later, then ICED, MOBBED, LACED, HITCHED and other one-word-titled novels concluding with her last published Regan Reilly mystery, SCAMMED. Carol enjoyed wearing a gold necklace with a charm representing every title.

With her late mother, author Mary Higgins Clark, she co-wrote four novels with the main characters Alvirah and Willy Meehan, a retired couple who somehow managed to become involved in criminal investigations and ultimately identify the culprit in serious crimes which had gone unsolved. Several of Carol’s books were made into television movies and she appeared in them. She started out typing her mother’s manuscripts and went on to have her own stellar career.

Carol was deeply honored to be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2016. She was introduced at the ceremony by her mother who had been previously inducted in 2011.

Carol was supportive of many charities including Catholic Charities, and Project Angel Food which prepares and delivers medically tailored meals to people living with serious illness, and ACPMP, an appendix cancer research foundation. She recently taped a video about appendix cancer on behalf of ACPMP, which funds doctors who conduct research on this very rare disease. She was also a loyal supporter of her alma mater Mount Holyoke.

Carol was predeceased by her beloved parents, Warren F. Clark and Mary Higgins Clark, her sister Patricia Clark and her sister-in-law Sharon Clark. She is survived by her siblings, Marilyn, Warren and David Clark, and by her nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Clark, (Lauren Pomerantz) and their children Frederick and Emma; Andrew Clark (Taylor) and their children William and Alexander; Courtney Clark Morrison (James) and their children Louis and Katherine, David Clark, Justin Clark, and Jerome Derenzo (Tara) and their daughter Stella. She is also survived by her many Clark and Higgins cousins.

A wake will be held on Monday, June 19th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Avenue, New York City. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 20th at 10:30 AM at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, 869 Lexington Avenue, New York City.

Internment will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery, 49-02 Laurel Hill Boulevard, Woodside, Queens, New York.

In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation may send it to ACPMP, Appendix Cancer/Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation, 491 Baltimore Pike, #177, Springfield, Pennsylvania, 19064-3810.

Carol was much loved and will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Rest in peace.