Remarkable individuals who've met their demise in the current year

Rewritten Article:

Remembering the Icons Who Said Goodbye

The world bids farewell to remarkable individuals who left an indelible mark on their respective fields, as we explore some of the notable figures who recently passed away.

Last month, Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, took her final bow. She only acknowledged the significance of her historic win after her 2014 victory, defying doubters who claimed that a Black, Republican, Mormon woman couldn't secure a congressional seat in predominantly white Utah.

March also saw the departure of boxing legend George Foreman. While he lost the "Rumble in the Jungle" against Muhammad Ali, Foreman managed to make an inspiring comeback as a champ and a successful entrepreneur.

Not only did March claim George Foreman, but it also marked the end of the road for a number of notable figures. This month, we'll pay tribute to icons such as former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson, basketball standout Junior Bridgeman, and R&B artist Angie Stone, among others.

Join us as we delve into the lives of these fascinating individuals and celebrate their accomplishments.

The Sad Goodbyes of January

Wayne Osmond, a founding member of the million-album-selling family act The Osmonds, who were known for such 1970s teen hits as "One Bad Apple," "Yo-Yo" and "Down By the Lazy River," passed away at the age of 73.

British novelist and critic David Lodge, celebrated for his witty and prolific work, died at the age of 89. His highly regarded narratives, like "Small World" and "Nice Work," subtlety satirized academia, religion, and even his own hearing loss.

Rosita Missoni, the matriarch of the iconic Italian fashion house that made colorful zigzag-patterned knitwear high fashion and propelled Italian ready-to-wear forward, died at the age of 93.

James Arthur Ray, the self-help guru whose multimillion-dollar business crumbled after a sweat lodge ceremony in Arizona left three people dead, departed at the age of 67.

Costas Simitis, a former prime minister of Greece and the mastermind behind Greece's entry into the common European currency, the euro, died at the age of 88.

Jean-Marie Le Pen, who founded France's far-right National Front and was renowned for his fiery rhetoric against immigration and multiculturalism, expressed his extremist views until his passing at the age of 96.

Peter Yarrow, the singer-songwriter best known as one-third of Peter, Paul and Mary, parted ways with his fellow musicians at the age of 86. The legendary folk music trio weaved their harmonies throughout numerous hits that advocated for civil rights and against war.

Nancy Leftenant-Colon, who made history as the first Black woman to join the U.S. Army Nurse Corps after the military was desegregated in the 1940s, died at the age of 104.

Sam Moore, the surviving half and higher-voiced member of the 1960s duo Sam & Dave, who was famous for hits such as "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Comin'," departed at the age of 89.

José “Cha Cha” Jiménez, a key figure in the Civil Rights movement in Chicago, died at the age of 76. He championed Puerto Rican rights, founded the Young Lords, and co-founded the Rainbow Coalition.

David Lynch, the filmmaker recognized for his dark and dreamlike vision in the movies "Blue Velvet" and "Mulholland Drive," and the TV series "Twin Peaks," passed away at the age of 78.

Bob Uecker, who made a name for himself by turning a forgettable baseball career into memorable appearances in movies and TV, passed away at the age of 90.

Joan Plowright, an award-winning British actor who worked alongside her late husband Laurence Olivier to revitalize the U.K.'s theatrical scene following World War II, departed at the age of 95.

Cecile Richards, a national leader for abortion access and women's rights who helmed Planned Parenthood for 12 tumultuous years, left us at the age of 67.

Mauricio Funes, a former president of El Salvador who spent the latter years of his life in Nicaragua to evade various criminal sentences, died at the age of 65.

Valérie André, a French aviator and parachutist who made history as the first woman to become a general officer in France, passed away at the age of 102.

Stalwarts Who Left Us in February

Garth Hudson, the Band's virtuoso keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, died at the age of 87. Hudson drew from a diverse palette of sounds and styles to add a unique touch to numerous rock classics like "Up on Cripple Creek," "The Weight," and "Rag Mama Rag."

Archbishop Richard Williamson, who made headlines in 2009 for his holocaust denial, passed away at the age of 84.

Dick Button, a multiple award-winning figure skater, innovator, and promoter of the sport, left at the age of 95.

Marianne Faithfull, a British pop star, muse, and torch singer, captivated generations with her emotional interpretations of popular songs. Faithfull passed away in January at the age of 78.

Remembering the Departed of March

Angie Stone, an acclaimed R&B artist and member of the all-female hip-hop trio The Sequence, known for her hit "Wish I Didn't Miss You," died in a car accident at the age of 63.

Joe Fusco, a College Football Hall of Fame coach who won four NAIA Division II national championships in 19 years at Westminster College, left us at the age of 87.

Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer and pianist, who made her impact during the 70s and continued influencing music throughout the decades, passed away at the age of 88.

Michelle Trachtenberg, a former child star who starred in the 1996 "Harriet the Spy" movie and captivated audiences with her roles on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Gossip Girl," died at the age of 39.

With their unforgettable contributions to music, politics, and entertainment, these notables will forever remain in our hearts. Let us remember them fondly and continue to find inspiration in their incredible achievements.

The environment mourns the loss of Mia Love, a congresswoman who made history as the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress.
The theater world celebrates the life of Joan Plowright, an award-winning British actor who worked alongside her late husband Laurence Olivier to revitalize the U.K.'s theatrical scene.
In the field of health and wellness, Cecile Richards, a national leader for abortion access and women's rights who helmed Planned Parenthood for 12 tumultuous years, has departed.
General news outlets report the passing of David Lynch, a filmmaker recognized for his dark and dreamlike vision in the movies "Blue Velvet" and "Mulholland Drive."
Sports enthusiasts bid farewell to Bob Uecker, who made a name for himself by turning a forgettable baseball career into memorable appearances in movies and TV.
In the realm of politics, Costas Simitis, a former prime minister of Greece and the mastermind behind Greece's entry into the common European currency, the euro, has left us.
The entertainment industry is saddened by the loss of David Lodge, a British novelist and critic, celebrated for his witty and prolific work that subtly satirized academia, religion, and even his own hearing loss.
Celebrities and fans are shocked by the death of Angie Stone, an acclaimed R&B artist and member of the all-female hip-hop trio The Sequence, known for her hit "Wish I Didn't Miss You."
Naysayers were proven wrong when George Foreman, the boxing legend who lost the "Rumble in the Jungle" against Muhammad Ali, managed to make an inspiring comeback as a champ and a successful entrepreneur.