Died in 2014

Remembering Journalist James Foley

Photojournalist James Foley was kidnapped in Syria in November 2012. Two years later he was killed, beheaded on video by members of the Islamic State.

Father Loses Wife, Sons in Plane Crash

On a December morning in 2014, a small plane crashed into a home in Maryland and burst into flames. Now Ken Gemmell is left to pick up the pieces and carry on without his wife and two of his three children.

Parents Give Away $100K in Daughter's Memory

For two-and-a-half years, Larry and Carrie Carroll shared special moments with their daughter, Savannah. Then in April 2014, Savannah went to sleep with a slight fever, and never woke up.

Germany Honors Heroic Young Woman

Germany is mourning the death of an unlikely hero this month: student teacher Tugce Albayrak. She was beaten into a coma by a man harassing two teens, and died Nov. 28.

Broadway's Tribute to Elaine Stritch

The lights of Broadway went dark in July to honor the memory of Elaine Stritch, one of the greatest players who ever graced the Great White Way.

Grieving Husband Sings to His Dying Newborn

This month, Chris Picco has suffered a lifetime's worth of heartbreak. His wife, Ashley, died last week of complications of an emergency cesarean section, performed during her 24th week of pregnancy. Their son, Lennon James Picco, survived the operation, but died four days later.

Dying Woman Says Goodbye to Beloved Horse

The bond between humans and animals can be a strong, lifelong connection. This was certainly the case for Sheila Marsh and her horse, Bronwen.

Father's Grief Brings Daughter Fame

A grieving father honors his daughter's memory by trying to make her life's dream come true.

Teen Dies Days After Special Graduation

High school graduation is a time-honored rite of passage for teens. For Lynzee Ford, 17, it was a dream that leukemia nearly stole from her. After Ford received a terminal diagnosis, staff and students at her high school in Kilgore, Texas, worked together to stage a special Oct. 20 graduation for her, attended by friends, relatives, teachers, first responders and even the city's mayor, according to TheRoot.com.

Terminally Ill Death-with-Dignity Advocate Ends Own Life

Brittany Maynard made news with plans to end her life, due to a terminal illness Nov. 1. She was back in the news with the announcement Oct. 24 that she has completed her bucket list.

Letters Reach Family After Husband's Death

Mitchell Whisenhunt left dozens of letters for his wife and daughter to help them through their grief after his death.

Teen Dies After Haunted House Visit

Ohio teenager Christian Faith Benge collapsed suddenly while visiting a haunted house with family and friends.

High School Football's Deadly Numbers

The 2014 high school football season got off to a deadly start.

Remembering Elvis Photographer Alfred Wertheimer

When asked to photograph a young singer in 1956, Alfred Wertheimer's first response was Elvis who?

Remembering Joanne Borgella

Singer Joanne Borgella, who competed on season seven of "American Idol" in 2008, died of cancer Oct. 18, 2014. She was 32.

Cheerleader's Inspiring Fight With Cancer

Breanna Lyn Bercegeay-Bertucci, 13, died this month after nearly 14 months fighting acute myeloid leukemia, a rare form of blood cancer. The Louisiana girl’s struggle with the disease, chronicled on the Facebook group “Cheering for Breanna” inspired thousands to follow the ups and downs of her treatment and illness, as well as the daily business of being a young girl.

'Bucket List Baby' Shane Haley Dies

Baby Shane Haley was world famous before he was even born. After being diagnosed in the womb with anencephaly, a fatal birth defect, Shane's parents were determined to give their son as full of a life as his brief time with them would allow. They created a "bucket list" of things for Shane to see and do, and then took him on an adventure.

Philadelphia Sports Announcer Bill Campbell

Sports announcer Bill Campbell was a legend in the Philadelphia area, remembered for his signature play-by-play call of Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point performance in 1962.

Remembering Stephen Samuel Gordon, AKA The Spaceape

We remember Stephen Samuel Gordon, the poet and MC, better known to his fans as The Spaceape.

Ebola Victims Gone, Not Forgotten

As the Ebola epidemic spreads in West Africa, families of the victims are facing a confusing and heartbreaking situation.

Mom Dies After Saving Daughter

When a routine shopping trip turned deadly, Colleen Segbers gave her life to protect her daughter.

Robert Downey Jr.: 'Call Your Mother'

When Robert Downey Jr.'s mother, Elsie Ann Downey, died last week, he wrote a tribute to her – one that said the things that, in his words, a "generic 'obit'" wouldn't convey.

Parents' Touching Last Dances

Weddings are times for great happiness, but sometimes that joy becomes bittersweet, as it did recently for two California families.

Grandparents Build Playground in Children's Memory

The March 22 landslide in Oso, Washington, left 43 people dead, including two young boys: Wyatt and Hunter Ruthven. To honor the boys' memories, their grandparents built a playground in nearby Arlington so that other children would be able to have fun. The boys' maternal grandparents, Karen and Tom Psonka, whose daughter Katie and her husband, Shane, also died in the landslide, led fundraising efforts for the playground, which opened in early September.

Mothers' Final Gifts to Their Children

A mother's instinct to protect her children is a force of nature.

Hero Bus Driver Saves Student

School bus driver Laura Zborowski died Tuesday while saving a young passenger's life. Zborowski, 51, was conducting a routine evacuation drill with her students when the school bus began to roll backward, directly toward a 10-year-old girl.

Final Post From Beloved Blogger

After Charlotte Kitley was diagnosed with bowel cancer, she started the blog "Life as a Semi-Colon."

Friends Honor Teen's Eagle Scout Dream

Noah Cornuet, 16, was on the cusp of adulthood when he died suddenly of a rare heart tumor. The high school student and athlete was remembered as friendly and popular, especially among his fellow Boy Scouts in Troop 180 of Tarentum, Pennsylvania, where Cornuet was pursuing his dream of reaching Scouting's highest rank: Eagle Scout.

Life, Love, and Adventure With Cynthia Castle

Cynthia Castle lived for love and adventure.

Community Mourns Three Leaders

The African-American community in Elkhart, Indiana, lost three of its leaders this summer within just four days of each other. Locals honor their memory and contributions.

Peyton Place Actor Ed Nelson Dies

We remember actor Ed Nelson who played Dr. Michael Rossi on television's "Peyton Place."

Mildred Zantow: Recycling Pioneer

Anyone who has ever recycled a plastic container in the U.S. can thank Milly Zantow for making it possible.

Oregon Teen Dies While Trying to Save Brother

When his younger brother was in danger, Alex Smith didn't hesitate.

Once in a Hundred Years

What we are remembered for is sometimes a matter of chance.

Remembering NPR's Margot Adler

Margot Adler reported the news many of us would otherwise miss.

Maya Angelou In Her Own Words

Legendary poet, actress and activist was a source of inspiration and strength for millions of Americans from all walks of life. The woman known as "America's poet" also counted presidents and heads of state among her fans. Maya Angelou's incredible literary legacy will be cherished for generations to come. Today, we bring you some of her best quotes.