Deaths in May - 2015

Prolific crime writer Ruth Rendell died May 2 at the age of 85. Her books include A Dark-Adapted eye and From Doon with Death.

The most prima of the prima ballerinas, Russian dancer Maya Plisetskaya died May 2 at the age of 89. Her memoir was called I, Maya Plisetskaya.

Actress Grace Lee Whitney, who portrayed Capt. Kirk's crush Yeoman Janice Rand on the original Star Trek series, died May 1 at the age of 85. Her memoir was called The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy.

Journalist Ann Barr died May 4 at the age of 85. She wrote The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook.

British politician Brian Sedgemore died May 5 at the age of 83. He wrote The Insider's Guide to Parliament.

Former speaker of the U.S. House Jim Wright died May 6 at the age of 92. He wrote Balance of Power: Presidents and Congress.

Folk singer Guy Carawan who made "We Shall Overcome" an anthem, died on May 2 at the age of 87. He wrote Sing for Freedom: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Its Songs.

Journalist and auto racer Denise McCluggage died May 6 at the age of 88. She wrote My Brook's too Broad for Leaping and Centered Skier.

Economist Alexandre Lamfalussy died May 9 at the age of 86. He wrote Financial crises in Emerging Markets.

Performance artist and activist Rachel Rosenthal died May 10 at the age of 88. Her work is represented in Rachel Rosenthal (Art + Performance).

The first chief in the NYPD, Gertrude Schimmel died May 11 at the age of 96. She wrote Joan Palmer, Police Woman.

Prolific historian Peter Gay died May 12 at the age of 91. His books include Freud: A Life For Our Time and Weimar Culture: The Outsider as Insider.

The inspiration for many a budding writer, teacher/author/editor and all around writerly fellow William Zinsser died May 12 at the age of 92. Probably every LT member has a copy of On Writing Well on their shelf. If not, they should. :'( I'm sure he would completely edit that first sentence.

Canadian civil rights lawyer A. Alan Borovoy has died at the age of 83. A few of his books include When Freedoms Collide, The New Anti-Liberals and Uncivil Obedience.

:'( Legendary blues man B. B. King died May 14 at the age of 89. His memoir was called Blues All Around Me: the Autobiography of B. B. King. I saw him play once. It was magic.

Record executive Stan Cornyn died may 11 at the age of 81. He wrote Exploding: The Highs, Hits, hype, Heroes, and Hustlers of the Warner Music Group.

Pulitzer prize winning poet Franz Wright died May 14 at the age of 62. His collections include Walking to Martha's Vineyard and God's Silence.

Former kicker who helped the Miami Dolphins to two Super Bowls, Garo Yepremian died May 15 at the age of 70. He wrote The Win-Win Book and I Keek a Touchdown.

Childbirth expert who popularized Lamaze Elizabeth Bing died May 15 at the age of 100. Her books include Six Practical Lessons for Easier Childbirth, Laughter and Tears: The Emotional Life of new Mothers and Having a Baby After 30.

British politician Jack Aspinwall died May 19 at the age of 82. He wrote Tell me another! A New Collection of after Dinner Stories from the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

The doctor who helped prove that aspirin can prevent heart attacks, David L. Sackett has died at the age of 80 on May 13. He wrote Clinical Epidemiology and The Arrogance of Preventive Medicine.

The beautiful mind, Nobel prize winning mathematician John Nash along with his wife were killed in a taxi crash in New Jersey. He died May 24 at the age of 86. He write The Essential John Nash.

Artist Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson died May 22 at the age of 75. She wrote A Street Called Home.

British writer Tanith Lee passed away on Sunday May 24th, aged 67.

She wrote over 90 books and many more short stories as well as and plays for BBC Radio and episodes of Blake’s 7
she wrote in many genres, from horror to children's fiction, and was particularly well regarded in science fiction and fantasy community. perhaps best known for The Silver Metal Lover

Compassionate photographer of difficult lives and situations, Mary Ellen Mark died May 25 at the age of 75. Her books include American Odyssey, 1963-1999 which she co-authored with Adrianne Marcus and Annie Liebowitz and The Photojournalist.

Historian Hugh Ambrose died May 23 at the age of 48. He was author of The Pacific.

Former head of the N.C.A.A. Walter Byers died May 26 at the age of 93. He wrote Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Exploiting College Athletes.

Translator and theologian Anthony C. Yu died May 12 at the age of 76. His books include The Monkey and the Monk, Rereading the Stone and The Journey to the West.

Scholar of anti-Semitism Robert S. Wistrich died May 19 at the age of 70. His books include Hitler and the Holocaust and Anti-Semitism: The Longest Hatred.

Former Quiz Kid Ruth Duskin Feldman died may 18 at the age of 80. She wrote Whatever happened to the Quiz Kids? Perils and Profits of Growing up Gifted.

Biographer Carole Seymour-Jones died May 23 at the age of 72. She wrote Painted Shadow and A Dangerous Liaison.

Folk singer Packie Manus Byrne died May 12 at the age of 98. His memoir was called Recollections of a Donegal Man.

Marine ecologist Rafe Sagarin was killed in a road accident on May 28 at the age of 43. He wrote Learning from the Octopus and Natural Security.