So saddened to hear of the death of Marilyn Lovell, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 93, surrounded by her family and husband Jim Lovell (Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, Apollo 13). They were married for an amazing 71 years!
Sharing the obituary from her family:
Marilyn lived an extraordinary life. She expressed a charming personality, one who welcomed you with a genuine smile and engaging conversation. Marilyn served as the consummate Naval Officer's wife, and later as an active member of the original Astronaut's Wives Club promoting her husband's NASA career and providing support to other astronaut wives.
Her greatest joy was her family. Marilyn was the matriarch of the ever-expanding Lovell family. She had four children, eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Lovingly referred to as Grammie, she enjoyed a close relationship with her "grands" whom she frequently visited and doted on.
A legacy of Marilyn's is a triangular shaped mountain on the moon that bears her name, Mount Marilyn. Jim named the mountain while mapping future landing sites during his historic Apollo 8 mission. This landmark mountain stands prominent along the edge of the moon's Sea of Tranquility representing the steadfast strength Marilyn had throughout her life.
Love and condolences to Jim and their whole family ❤️
"Looking back at the Earth on Christmas Eve had a great effect, I think, on all three of us. I can only speak for myself. But it had for me. Because of the wonderment of it and the fact that the Earth looked so lonely in the universe. It’s the only thing with color. All of our emotions were focused back there with our families as well. So that was the most emotional part of the flight for me." CDR Frank Borman (Apollo 8) reflecting on his thoughts of seeing Earth from the lunar horizon.
Oral history interview conducted by Catherine Harwood for NASA Johnson Space Oral History Project, 13 April, 1999.
Image credit: Astronaut Frank Borman, September 1963. Photographer Ralph Morse.
RIP to the no-nonsense CDR of Apollo 8, who along with the audacious team of that historic and iconic lunar mission, not only saved 1968 but brought us Earthrise.
Against all odds. Apollo 13 astronauts Fred Haise, James Lovell & Jim Swigert stand with President Nixon following their harrowing ordeal in space. An oxygen tank in the service module ruptured 2 days into the mission which crippled the craft’s life support system. Ron Howard’s Apollo 13 film captures the essence of the frightening experience beautifully.
Taken by Bill Anders aboard Apollo 8. Along with astronaut Anders, were astronauts Frank Borman, and Jim Lovell. The audio recordings you can hear the excitement in their voices getting these images. This was my favorite crew and mission to learn about during my Apollo mission research.
Marilyn and Jim married immediately following his [college] graduation at St Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis, MD. Jim would proudly tell everyone he, “married the prettiest girl from Wisconsin!”