Packer, Joy (1905–1977)

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Packer, Joy (1905–1977)

South African novelist and travel writer. Name variations: Lady Packer. Born Joy Petersen, Feb 11, 1905, in Cape Town, South Africa; died 1977; dau. of Julius (doctor) and Ellen (Marais) Petersen; m. Sir Herbert Packer (admiral in Royal Navy), 1925 (died); children: Peter.

Traveled widely with husband and wrote of experiences in Pack and Follow: One Person's Adventures in Four Different Worlds (1945), Grey Mistress (1949), and Home from the Sea (1963); wrote about husband's naval career in Deep as the Sea (1975); probably best known for novels Valley of the Vines (1955), which became a tv series, and Nor the Moon By Night (1957); other novels include The High Roof (1959), The Glass Barrier (1961), The Man in the Mews (1964), The Blind Spot (1967), Leopard in the Fold (1969) and Veronica (1970); was broadcaster to South Africa for BBC in London (1939–43).