Danniella Muheim

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Danniella Mellissa Muheim on October 16, 2015, at the Gilchrist Hospice in Columbia, MD. Dannie was born and raised near Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She graduated with multiple honors from Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School in Selkirk, Manitoba. After attending the University of Manitoba for a year, Dannie transferred to Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, where she earned a B.S. in aerospace engineering. She was awarded a M.S. in engineering mechanics from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, and completed all requirements there for her PhD in engineering mechanics, except for her dissertation defense. Dannie was the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships during her education, including the Amelia Earhart Fellowship from Zonta International. Dannie started her career in 1996 at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, as a structures analyst. She transferred to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in 2005 to work on the James Webb Space Telescope. At Goddard, Dannie managed a group that analyzed the design, structure and function of the Webb Telescope. Dannie was predeceased by her father Fritz, her mother Agnes, and her brother Travis. She is survived by her husband Des Welch, step-mother Ruth Carriere, and step-children Kate Welch and Mike Welch. Dannie was an "extroverted" engineer and had a wide network of friends and colleagues. She enjoyed travel, photography, flowers, and Facebook. She loved visiting all her relatives and friends around the world, particularly her Swiss relatives. Dannie's memorial service will be held on November 15 in Columbia, MD. There will be a private service for interment of cremated remains. Condolences and donations in lieu of flowers can be made at http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/danniella/Homepage.aspx.