Barbara Albright, prolific writer, dies in hospice

STAMFORD, Conn. --Barbara Albright, a prolific writer of food and knitting books, died Wednesday night from a brain tumor, her husband said. She was 51.

Albright wrote about 25 books, including "1,001 Reasons to Love Chocolate" that she co-wrote with Mary Tiegreen. She often appeared as a guest on television programs.

She was a former editor-in-chief of The Chocolatier magazine and was a freelance food writer for The Associated Press.

"She's my sweetheart," said her husband, Ted Westray. "She had lots of friends. She was supremely talented. She was really full of life. I don't think I ever saw her cry. She's going to be dearly missed."

Albright died at Branford Hospice, Westray said. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor in May, he said.

She also is survived by two children.

Albright, who grew up in Nebraska and lived in Wilton for 11 years, had taken up knitting and wanted to get a sheep farm, Westray said.

"I never ever saw a bad day out of that woman," said Amy Barr, a longtime friend. "Her life was brownies and margaritas."