The writer died at her home following a short illness.
Sue found fame after writing The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾ which was followed by The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole and later on Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years.
The last novel in the series- Adrian Mole: The Prostrate Years- was released in 2009.
Sue had been blighted by health problems in recent years. She suffered from a stroke in 2001 and was registered blind as a result. She also had diabetes and in 2009, Sue underwent a kidney transplant.
Sue received a kidney from her son after waiting over two years for a donor.
Celebrities have spoken out about their sadness following the novelist’s death.
Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams tweeted: ‘Sue Townsend was a comedy genius & wrote some of the funniest books of all time. A lovely lady too.’
Comedian Sarah Millican also posted her condolences: ‘Such sad news about Sue Townsend. Just about to start reading 'The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year'. Will do so now with a heavier heart.’
Sue leaves behind her husband, Colin Broadway, 4 children and 10 grandchildren.