Mary Keefe - Rockwell Model

Mary Keefe was the model for Norman Rockwell's iconic "Rosie the Riveter" painting in 1943. It symbolized the millions of American women who went to work in factories during World War II.

She died on April 21, 2015 in Simsbury, CT after a brief illness at the age of 92.

Ms Keefe met Rockwell when they both lived in Vermont. She was a 19 year old telephone operator when the painting appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on May 23, 1943. Rockwell exaggerated some of her physical features, giving her large arms, hands and shoulders. He later apologized to her. She was paid $5 for the two morning sessions needed to photograph her for the painting.

The magazine cover was used extensively in ads to sell war bonds to the general public. She spent her career as a dental hygienist in Vermont and later in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Betty Willis - Sign Maker

Betty Willis spent her career as a commercial artist, but will always be remembered for the iconic "Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada" neon sign that sits on Las Vegas Boulevard, south of the strip. When she created the sign in 1959, few thought it would become such a popular tourist attraction and symbol of the city. It was added to the National Historical Register in 2009. She passed away on April 21, 2015 at the age of 91. She spent her career in Las Vegas in an industry dominated by men. Several of her signs appear at various casinos.

Luke Martin JR - Son of Ex-slave

Luke Martin Jr was the son of an ex-slave and former Union soldier who fought in the Civil War. Martin died on January 25, 2015 at the age of 97 at his home in New Bern, NC.- 179 years after his father was born.

Martin Sr was a slave at a plantation near Plymouth, NC. During the war, he became a member of 35th US Colored Troops. He fathered Martin Jr when he was 84 years old.

Martin JR spent his entire lifetime in the house his father built in the 1890's.

Two Left

Over the next two weeks, we will se the final NFL playoff schedule fall into place. So many teams are on a short leash this weekend. It will end very badly for some.

All you can ever hope as a fan is for your team
to make the playoffs.

Who knows what happens after that.

Ken Weatherwax - Child Actor

Ken Weatherwax appeared as "Pugsley" on the "Adams Family" television series which ran from 1964-1966. He would spend the rest of his career in show business, working as a grip on several Hollywood productions.

Mr Weatherwax passed away on December 7, 2014 at his home in Box Canyon, CA from a heart attack. He was forced to retire a few years ago due to medical reasons.

Theodore Van Kirk - Crew Memeber of Enola Gay

Theodore Van Kirk was the last surviving member of the crew of the Enola Gay, the B-29 airplane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. He died on July 28, 2014 in Stone Mountain, GA at the age of 93. Van Kirk was selected for the secret mission after distinguishing himself as a navigator during 58 combat missions in Europe. The devastation caused by the bomb forced Japan into ending World War II. He left the military with the rank of major. He enrolled at Bucknell University, graduating with a bachelor's and master's degree in chemical engineering. He spent his working years at Dupont where he became a marketing executive.

Conrado Marrero - Oldest Major League Player

Conrado Marrero of Cuba held the distinction of being the oldest former Major League Baseball player until his passing last week in Havana at the age of 102. He missed his 103rd birthday by two days.

He was a star pitcher in the Cuban League before making his MLB debut with the Washington Senators in 1950 at the age of 39. He compiled a 39-40 record over five seasons with an ERA of 3.97 and 296 strikeouts.

After he was released by the Senators in 1955, he returned to Cuba where he played through the 1957 season. He continued to work into his 80's as an instructor and coach and was honored as a Hero of the Republic of Cuba.

Alice Herz Sommer - Holocaust Survivor

Alice Herz Sommer was the oldest Holocaust survivor until she died in London on February 23, 2014 at the age of 110.

She was a classic pianist who mastered the works of Chopin. That allowed her to survive the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp run by the Nazis during World War II.

She was sent there in 1943 after her family was rounded up in Czechoslovakia. A certain death awaited her until her musical talent was discovered. She was forced to perform in over 100 concerts for prisoners and guards during her ordeal that saved her from the fate suffered by so many other prisoners.

After the war, she emigrated to Israel where she taught music until moving to London in the 1980's.

Ruth Robinson - Munchkin

Ruth Robinson was the last of the female Munchkins from the 1939 blockbuster movie "The Wizard of Oz". She died on January 16, 2014 at a hospice facility in Las Vegas at the age of 95. Her death leaves Jerry Marren as the only surviving Munchkin from the movie.

She was part of a cast of 124 little people who played one of the iconic roles in the movie. While working at MGM, she met her future husband.

During World War II, she worked as a riveter at an aircraft facility. Her small stature allowed her to work in small spaces.

She spent the rest of her life appearing at festivals and screenings celebrating the movie. Back in September, she appeared in Los Angeles at the world premier of the "Wizard of Oz 3D".

Walter H Stern - Fiscal Cliff

We have heard the expression "fiscal cliff" on numerous occasions to point out the dire economic consequences of the federal budget. The expression was dormant for decades until its use exploded in recent years.

Walter Stern, a former real estate writer for the New York Times, first used the expression on Oct 20, 1957 during a front page story in the paper. He referred to a home buyer as having the potential to be pushed off the fiscal cliff as a result of the purchase.

Sterns was with the Times from 1942-1961 before he left to pursue a career in public relations. He spent the 1970's and 80's doing media work for Mobil Oil.

He died on November 2, 2013 at the age of 88 while living in Florida.