(CNN) Natalie Babbitt, the children's author and illustrator who explored immortality in her acclaimed book "Tuck Everlasting," has died in her Connecticut home. She was 84.

Natalie Babbitt poses with the cast of "Tuck Everlasting" on Broadway in April.

Babbitt's husband, Samuel Babbitt, confirmed she died on Monday in Hamden, Connecticut. She had been diagnosed with lung cancer and was under hospice care at home when she died.

Babbitt wrote or illustrated more than 20 books, but she is perhaps best known for tackling the complex subject of death in her novel "Tuck Everlasting."

The book follows Winnie Foster and the Tuck family, who has to come to terms with living forever after drinking from a spring that grants eternal life. The novel was made into a film in 1981 and inspired a Disney motion picture in 2002. It was also adapted into a stage musical.

Fans and the literary world remembered Babbitt's work on Twitter.

"You don't have to live forever, you just have to live." ~Tuck Everlasting.

We'll never forget you, Natalie Babbitt. #peacelovebooks — Malaprop's Bookstore (@Malaprops) November 1, 2016

.@mollybackes--sad news. My kids loved Natalie Babbitt's books. Who didn't? Was once on a program w/her. Said she was never sure...cont'd — Judy Blume (@judyblume) November 1, 2016

.@mollybackes (part 2) when she got up to speak she would not throw up. Loved her for that. Sad day. — Judy Blume (@judyblume) November 1, 2016

Tuck Everlasting gave me a lot about death and life that I maybe didn't want but needed to understand. — Dillon Smith (@dillonatpsu) November 1, 2016

Just have to honor this amazing lady! Natalie Babbitt (author-Tuck Everlasting) was a beam of light. So glad to have been in her story 💦🐸✨ pic.twitter.com/y1dZrpTwNr — Carolee Carmello (@CaroleeCarmello) November 1, 2016

May her many gifts to children's literature live on and be discovered by new generations. Eternal rest Natalie Babbitt. https://t.co/ld8vIqO6br — Mary Alice Garber (@MATG26) November 1, 2016

Tuck Everlasting is one of my favorite books. Thank you, Natalie Babbitt. You live on through it. https://t.co/Fb9zyfRZ6q — Jessica E Young (@happybluejess) November 1, 2016

Born and raised in Ohio, Babbitt grew up wanting to be an illustrator and went on to study art at Smith College.

In 1966, she collaborated with her husband on a children's book called "The Forty-ninth Magician," her first published work. While her husband, a university administrator, became too busy to continue writing, the book was only the beginning in Babbitt's nearly 50-year career. Her last published work was "The Moon Over High Street" in 2012.

Babbitt received the Newbery Honor Medal, the American Library Association's Notable Book designations, and The New York Times' Best Book designations, among other awards for her work.