People die every day. Every year we lose millions. Most will pass on unknown. Some, like Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, who died at 33, in a car crash in this year’s race, go too soon. Others, like the CBS radio man Norman Corwin, who lasted to 101, take more than the average share. Who else of note died this year? That’s easy. This was a big year. Dr. Jack Kevorkian helped those in pain pass on was himself 83 when he went. A staunch fan of his to the end, my grandmother, Janet Elizabeth Begley died this December 11th at the age of 81. By her measure she had lived way too long, having finished what she was here to do long ago. If she were here now she would probably purse her lips and wonder sarcastically what all the fuss is about. She who taught me that “it’s five pm somewhere in the world,” would also be having a wee bit of Scotch.

People die every day. Every year we lose millions. Most will pass on unknown. Some, like Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, who died at 33, in a car crash in this year’s race, go too soon. Others, like the CBS radio man Norman Corwin, who lasted to 101, take more than the average share.

Who else of note died this year? That’s easy. This was a big year. Dr. Jack Kevorkian helped those in pain pass on was himself 83 when he went. A staunch fan of his to the end, my grandmother, Janet Elizabeth Begley died this December 11th at the age of 81. By her measure she had lived way too long, having finished what she was here to do long ago. If she were here now she would probably purse her lips and wonder sarcastically what all the fuss is about. She who taught me that “it’s five pm somewhere in the world,” would also be having a wee bit of Scotch.