obituaries

National

Rosemary Radford Ruether, a pioneer of feminist theology, has died

4:29pm May 23, 2022

by Monique Parsons

One of the founding mothers of feminist theology has died. Rosemary Radford Ruether was among the first scholars to think deeply about the role of women in Christianity.

Rosemary Radford Ruether was among the first scholars to think deeply about the role of women in Christianity. She died Saturday at the age of 85.

Religion

Rosemary Radford Ruether, a founding mother of feminist theology, has died at age 85

5:57pm May 22, 2022

by Monique Parsons

Ruether was among the first scholars to think deeply about the role of women in Christianity, shaking up old patriarchies and pushing for change.

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The popular composer died in a hospital in Paris of heart failure.

Vangelis, famed film composer and synth pioneer, dead at 79

3:03pm May 19, 2022

by Andrew Limbong

Vangelis composed the music for Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire, which won him an Academy Award.

Remembering Bobby McCoskey, lost to COVID, through the song 'Closing Time'

4:33pm May 18, 2022

Debra McCoskey-Reisert remembers her brother, Bobby McCoskey, who died from COVID. Bobby loved the song Closing Time by Semisonic, because they played it at dances he attended.

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Urvashi Vaid, then-executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, protests at then-President George H.W. Bush's address on AIDS in March 1990 in Arlington, Virginia. The pioneering LGBTQ activist and attorney died last week at age 63.

Remembering Urvashi Vaid, an LGBTQ activist who spent decades fighting for equality

12:07pm May 18, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

Colleagues, friends and admirers are paying tribute to Vaid, the pioneering attorney and organizer who died at age 63 on Friday. She worked for the ACLU and National LGBTQ Task Force, among others.

A list of of those lost to COVID-19 and the songs that their loved ones remember them by. Illustrated curls of smoke drift over the names, evoking sound waves.

Songs of Remembrance

6:22am May 18, 2022

At least 1 million people have died in the U.S. from COVID-19. NPR's Songs of Remembrance project shares some of their stories and the music they loved.

David Hardee, 67: Three Dog Night's 'Joy to the World'

5:49pm May 17, 2022

A lover of rock of all kinds who loved to belt "Joy to the World" around the kitchen.

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Steve Rogers, 64: Heart's 'Barracuda'

5:43pm May 17, 2022

A frontline worker, a driver for Uber who loved blues singers and girl bands, especially Heart.

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Michael Lee Cyrus, 72: Andy Williams' 'Love is a Many-Splendored Thing'

5:41pm May 17, 2022

A daughter remembers her father, who loved oldies, and whose love for this song was influenced by his own memories of his mother.

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Elfriede Liselotte Matza Froisland, 93: Dolly Parton's 'Dumb Blonde'

5:39pm May 17, 2022

A lifelong Dolly Parton fan born in Germany who used country music to understand American culture and survived hardship with poise and wit.

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