Amish columnist dies

When Elizabeth Coblentz, an Old Order Amish woman from Indiana, died in September, The New York Times published an extended obituary, complete with her recipe for "Nothings" (Sept. 22). Coblentz, 66, was a syndicated columnist whose weekly musings ran in 105 newspapers. She wrote at her kitchen table in a house that had no running water, electricity or telephone. Her themes ranged from horses to children's funerals, from religious faith to a typical day on the farm. But the constant theme was food. Coblentz started writing in 1952 for an Amish newspaper. Kevin Williams, editor at Oasis Newsfeatures, discovered her in 1991. While she refused to be photographed or taped, she had nothing against personal appearances. She was on a tour to promote a new book when she died of an aneurysm. The Amish Cook: Recipes and Recollections From an Old Order Amish Family is to be published in November by Ten Speed Press of California. Her earlier book, The Best of the Amish Cook, published by Oasis, is a collection of her columns. Coblentz' husband died in 2000; she is survived by 8 children and 35 grand-children.--From New York Times