Alana Baranick

Died Doing What They Loved

Somehow, knowing that a person died doing what they loved gives us comfort.

An Accomplished Life

L. Rodger Currie was one of the youngest Marine Corps dive bomber pilots in World War II and became one of the oldest recipients of the Carnegie Medal for Heroism.

PT Boat Veterans of WWII

We remember President John F. Kennedy and other real-life PT boat veterans.

Wilbur Eggleston and Racial Integration in N.C.

The obituary for in the Ashland Citizen-Times offers a historic look at racial integration in North Carolina and Eggleston’s role in its progress.

The Life of an Obituary Writer

For decades Alana Baranick brought the recently deceased back to life on the page as an obituary writer for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and other newspapers. "I actually thought that some people she wrote about were never more alive than they were in her gentle hands," said Chris Quinn, her former editor.

Their Love Lives On

NFL veteran Chris Draft and his wife Keasha shared a powerful love. It lives on even after her death at age 38, just a month after their wedding.

Breast Cancer Survivor Reached Out

American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery volunteer Marlene Parent gave lots of hugs, whether you wanted them or not.

Neil Armstrong and NASA: One Giant Leap

First man on the moon Neil Armstrong routinely credited the thousands of scientists, technicians, and others who made his historic flight possible.

Obits Highlight Presidential Picks

A recent trend in the obituary pages has prompted us to create our very own, extremely unscientific, presidential poll.

Never Got to Go for Gold

Not every Olympic-caliber athlete makes it to the Olympics. For some, injury intervenes and shuts down their chance to compete. For others, it may be financial hardship that prevents them from going to the Olympic Games. But for many athletes, it isn't their bodies or personal circumstances that get in the way — it's politics.

Aurora, Colorado: Faces of the Victims

The names of the victims of the shooting in Aurora, Colorado were released on Sunday, and we began to see their faces and learn about their lives.

Born on the 4th of July

As we celebrate our nation's independence, we salute a few folks who were born on the 4th of July.

Best Dads and Playmates

On Father's Day, we're remembering the dads who were also their children's best playmates.

The Obit Writer Writes Her Own Obit

Newspapers often prepare obituaries in advance for prominent people. Obit writer Gerry Hostetler left one at the office when she retired – her own.

Mothers of the Year

On Mother's Day, we're honoring all mums and mommies with a special nod to a few who were "Mothers of the Year."

Mom to Everyone

As Mother's Day approaches, we're remembering one mom who did it all.

Following Her Dream

Seventy years ago, women majoring in chemistry at Michigan State were told to seek jobs as secretaries or librarians. Marjorie Lesher Hunt did no such thing.

Alpha Phi Alpha Alums

Alpha Phi Alpha was the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans. Alpha Phil Alpha was founded at Cornell University in 1906, and over the decades, members and alums have been not only within the Black community but across America. The fraternity's famous alumni include , , , , , , , , , , and .

She Sounded the Alarm

Jennifer Merendino blogged about her cancer journey to spur women to get mammograms and to sound the alarm about environmental toxins.

An Ordinary, Magical Life

The Toronto Star shows how a modest life can have a huge impact.

Mom and Pop Shops

For National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, we're celebrating folks who ran family businesses.

An Alabama Love Story

When asked, “What makes a marriage last,” Margaret Monte raised a conspiratorial eyebrow and smiled: “It takes a lot of patience.”

Real-Life Mother Goose

Professional storyteller Lynn "MotherGoose" Shenefield 'waddled' around Florida for nearly 25 years telling stories, singing songs, and imparting gentle life lessons.

Surviving the Holocaust

Anna Maxell Levin-Ware survived the Holocaust and lived to be almost 90, making the world a more beautiful place while she was here.

Remembering Ohio Students

The three Chardon High juniors who were killed in Monday's shooting were described by friends, family and teachers as polite and good-hearted.

The Other Oscar Winners

These talented Academy Award winners were not-so-famous.

The Grammy Connection

We remember a few not-so-famous folks who've been honored by The Recording Academy.

A Civil Rights Leader

Eddie Brown Jr. began working for human and civil rights in the 1960s and never stopped.

A Friend at the Food Mart

Customers at Max Food Mart in Tampa, Fla., knew Benny Pinckney, whose wheelchair faced them as they checked out, even if they didn't know his name.

Less Than Saintly

We obituary writers sometimes pass on writing about the less-than-saintly – not because we’re timid, but because such obits can be more trouble than they’re worth.

Alexandria Romeo: Empowered

We were moved by Alexandria’s story, and clearly we’re not the only ones – more than 200 people have left messages in her online Guest Book.

Scrabble Points

Will you be remembered for your love of triple word scores?

Deaf Sports Leader

Ohio State School for the Deaf graduate Clyde D. Wilson founded softball, basketball & bowling organizations for hearing-impaired athletes – and he was an all-star leftfielder.

Lovable Curmudgeons

Andy Rooney and other curmudgeons people couldn't help but love.

Dying Homeless in Chattanooga

For the homeless in Chattanooga, death holds a bit more dignity than it might in other cities thanks to Brother Ron Fender, a social worker who cares for the homeless in life and in death.

Semper Fi

In recognition of the Marine Corps' 236th birthday on Nov. 10, 2011, and Veterans Day today, we give an ooh-rah to a handful of former Marines who died in recent weeks.

Visionary Inventors

Not every inventor or innovator is as famous as Steve Jobs.

He Fixed Hearts

Wilson Greatbatch invented the implantable cardiac pacemaker, keeping millions of hearts beating in rhythm.

They Made a Joyful Noise

We've lost many gospel singers in recent weeks. The renowned , who famously sang with James Cleveland’s Gospel Chimes and Bill Gaither’s Homecoming crew, died Sept. 26, 2011 at age 73.

The Mad Scientist

From young “mad scientist” to NASA scientist, Newell Sanders always had lofty aspirations.

Breast Cancer Doc

Dr. Raza Ali Dilawari, who worked to fight breast cancer, was considered the premier surgical oncologist in the mid-South.

Missionary in Vietnam

Walter Routh Jr. knew from the age of 14 that he would be a missionary, a calling that took him into war-ravaged Vietnam during the height of conflict.

Veteran Waited 60 Years for a Special Delivery

Postal worker Rocco Gedaro had to wait nearly 60 years to receive the sergeant stripes he earned while serving with the Army’s 90th Infantry Division in Europe during World War II.

Breast Cancer Activist

After her breast cancer diagnosis, Lydia J. Cosumano made awareness, detection, and finding a cure her focus.

House For Sale!

“Roy died. House for sale! I have always wanted to say that in my obituary!” That’s how Roy Edward Oaklund, 94, began his own obituary in the Idaho Press Tribune.

A Teacher's Tools

Gloria Houghton invented fun and challenging learning devices to teach her students about literature, drama and art.

Driving the Bus

These six dedicated school bus drivers helped children get home safely.

Lucky Stock Car Racer

As a stock car driver and truck driver, the woman called “Lucky” always figured that she really was just that.

The Help

The hit movie The Help has us all thinking about the generations of women who have cared for other people’s homes and children. Today we spotlight a few domestic workers who have passed away in recent months.