Sally Ride (1951-2012)

First American woman astronaut in space, scientist with several advanced degrees, educator and inspiration for millions of women in the sciences and the few in the space program... Ride was all those and more. She died at age 61, of pancreatic cancer. (Aside: Stella is the same age: though to all appearances she is healthy, it really gives me pause to think.) Ride will be much missed. Thanks and R.I.P., Dr. Ride; all of us admired you, both who you were and what you did.