Heidi Vanderbilt died Jan. 31, following a brief illness. She was 72.

She was born on July 20, 1948 to Jeanne and Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt. She lived in New York city, Cleveland and Connecticut before moving to Martha’s Vineyard in 1978. She lived in Edgartown and then Vineyard Haven until 1994 when she settled in the Tucson area. Heidi had an enduring love of the Southwest desert, its people and its animals.

She published as a photographer, poet and author of fiction and nonfiction. The Mystery Writers of America presented her with an Edgar award in 1983. As an actress, she appeared on Broadway. She was an accomplished horsewoman who took loving care of horses, goats, donkeys, dogs, cats and a pig at her ranch in Benson, Ariz. She loved trail riding and finished the 100-mile one-day Tevis Cup ride three times. Her first novel, The Scar Rule, fused many of these elements together. It was published on her 72nd birthday.

She was fiercely independent, honest and true to herself. At the same time, she had deep empathy and a gift for understanding people and animals on their own terms.

She is survived by her son Jack Harris, daughter in law Beka Sturges and grandson Abe Harris-Sturges.