By Deborah Higgens

Colin Duriez, who passed away on November 1, 2025, was a prolific author of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, the Inklings, and other fantasy authors and works leaving us with approximately 20 books. These included The C.S. Lewis Encyclopedia, Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings: A Guide to Middle Earth, The Inklings Handbook, A Field Guide to Harry Potter, and biographies of Dorothy L. Sayers and Francis Schaeffer.

Many knew him as a profound speaker as well, but those close to him knew him as a good friend who was kind, generous, intelligent, and a fun conversationalist with a glint in his eye and a witty sense of humor.

In the world of the C.S. Lewis Foundation, Colin and his lovely wife, Cindy Zudys, often found themselves at The Kilns, having tea with Walter Hooper and Aidan Mackey, giving tours of the beloved former home of C.S. Lewis, and assisting with the Summer Seminar programs. He also served as a Director on the Board of Directors for the C.S. Lewis Foundation (UK) from 2024-2025.

I first visited Colin and Cindy’s home in the beautiful Lake District before they moved to Wallingford to assist with Cindy’s mother’s care.  Colin enjoyed living in Wallingford for its close proximity to Oxford University and the fellowship he could enjoy with other Oxford scholars and friends.  Both Colin and Cindy enjoyed the local community of Wallingford with its rich and colorful history reaching back to its medieval roots and forward to its popular statue of Agatha Christy sitting on a park bench.  The town lends itself to rich stories and was therefore suited to Colin’s writing of his informative books and to Cindy’s storytelling that we love and enjoy. 

Colin wrote smaller pieces as well, such as when he graciously took the time to write the foreword to my book on Tolkien’s Anglo-Saxon community in his fictional works.  I’m unsure of how much he knew it meant to me that he crafted such a beautiful piece for this budding author; however, a few words that he wrote can also be applied to himself, “He wears his learning lightly, as he enthusiastically and lucidly explains and shares his discoveries. His books have a place on the shelves of both scholars and the wider readership of fiction.”  Those who have read Colin’s books have found them well researched, yet readable and accessible. Truly the mark of a great writer. 

Cindy was with Colin during his final days of advanced Alzheimer’s.  She said that she quietly sang familiar songs and hymns to him during this time and as Cindy shared, “It was when I played the main theme from LOTR that we had that wonderful moment of recognition when Col opened his eyes and focused on me.”  What a lovely moment for them both!

But for me, and many of Colin’s friends, a prominent memory that will remain with us is Colin wearing his floppy sun hat (reminiscent of CSL on his holidays) and chatting about all things Inklings, while sitting in The Kilns’ garden.  Thank you, Colin, for a life well lived and the legacy and friendship you left to so many of us.