I found this out in the CDP05 thread, and have to announce it here: Mary Hayley Bell, who wrote the original novel Whistle Down The Wind, and whose daughter Hayley Mills starred in the original movie, died December 1, 2005.
Andrew Lloyd Webber & Jim Steinman turned the book and movie into a stage musical that included some great songs, including “Annie Christmas.”
I am very, very sad. 
I also have an autographed copy of Ms. Bell’s original book of WDTW.
It is sad, and it will be a sad Christmas for her family, having lost both Mary and John this year. They seemed like such a lovely couple. I saw some footage of their 2001 vow renewal on TV a couple of years back, and they were just so sweet together. Still, her health has been failing for quite some time so perhaps it is a blessing of sorts.
They were also the parents of Juliette Mills, who was the original Nanny (Nanny & the Professor) and who is such a delight as Tabitha the witch on the NBC soap “Passions.”