THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Aviation pioneer Wally Funk, who trained as an early female astronaut ... Wally Funk received the 2022 Michael Collins Trophy for Lifetime Achievement on March 24, 2022. Joel Kowsky/NASA Space programs Aviation news Federal agencies See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow Wally Funk, a pioneering aviator who volunteered to be an astronaut for NASA’s “Women in Space Program” in 1961, has died at the age of 87. Funk passed away at her home in Grapevine, Texas, Wednesday evening, according to a spokesperson for the city , Mona Quintanilla. “Wally was a beloved Grapevine resident whose extraordinary accomplishments and generous spirit left an enduring legacy,” the post reads. “The City of Grapevine proudly recognizes Wally Funk, whose extraordinary career has inspired generations by breaking barriers in aviation and space exploration. Funk continues to serve as a global symbol of determination, perseverance, and excellence.” Born Mary Wallace Funk on February 1, 1939, she dedicated her life to becoming an accomplished pilot who forged a pathway filled with firsts. Attending Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, at the age of 16, Funk joined the women’s f…

Aviation pioneer Wally Funk, the oldest woman to fly in space, dies at 87 <p>Wally Funk, a pioneering aviator and the oldest woman to fly in space, has died at 87.</p>

Wally Funk, aviation pioneer and oldest woman to go into space, dies at 87 <p>Trailblazing pilot was denied opportunity to become Nasa astronaut but made history on Blue Origin flight in 2021</p><p>Wally Funk, a trailblazing aviation pioneer who was denied the opportunity to become a Nasa astronaut and half a century later became the oldest woman to travel into space, has died aged 87.</p><p>Funk died peacefully on Wednesday evening at her apartment in an assisted living facility in Grapevine, Texas, city councilwoman and close friend Duff O’Dell said on Thursday. O’Dell, who described herself as Funk’s caregiver, said she was by Funk’s side. Funk had fallen a couple of times recently and had an infection in her leg. “It took its toll,” O’Dell told the Associated Press.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/09/wally-funk-astronaut-dies">Continue reading...</a>

Wally Funk has died at age 87. The aviation pioneer completed the program to become an astronaut in the early 1960s but was not allowed to go to space because she was a woman. She then became a groundbreaking flight instructor, training more than 3,000 pilots, and eventually went to space at age […]

Wally Funk, the oldest woman to launch into space, dies aged 87 American aviation pioneer Wally Funk, who was the oldest woman to fly in space, has died at 87 in Texas.

Wally Funk, aviation pioneer who was the oldest woman to travel into space, dies at 87 <p>GRAPEVINE, Texas &#8212; Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer who was the oldest woman to launch into space, has died. She was 87.</p>

Mercury 13 icon Wally Funk, who waited 60 years to reach space with Jeff Bezos, dies at 87 Wally Funk, aviation pioneer and Mercury 13 member, dies at 87. Here's how she broke barriers for women in aviation and finally reached space in 2021.

Wally Funk, North Texas astronaut and aviation pioneer, dies at 87 PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Wally Funk honored in Grapevine Astronaut Wally Funk was honored over the weekend with a parade in her hometown of Grapevine. The Brief Wally Funk, a trailblazing pilot and astronaut who shattered multiple gender barriers, has died at the age of 87 in Grapevine, Texas. A member of the 1961 "Mercury 13" program, Funk finally reached space in 2021 aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard at age 82. She holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest woman to travel into space and, as a flight instructor, has trained more than 3,000 pilots. GRAPEVINE, Texas - Wally Funk, a Grapevine woman who broke barriers as an astronaut and an aviation pioneer, has died. She was 87 years old. Aviation Pioneer’s Passing What we know: Funk died on Wednesday night surrounded by loved ones, according to the city of Grapevine. What they're saying: Grapevine leaders called Funk a beloved resident whose extraordinary accomplishments and generous spirit left an enduring legacy. "Wally Funk’s unwavering determination proves that dreams have no expiration date," said Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O’Dell. "Her courage, resilience,…

North Texas aviation pioneer Wally Funk dies, age... - CBS News Wally Funk , an aviation pioneer who became the oldest woman to travel to space, has died at 87. The city of Grapevine , Texas, where she lived, announced on Thursday that she died peacefully the evening before, surrounded by loved ones. Funk, who was born on Feb. 1, 1939, has been hailed as a barrier-breaker for women in the world of aviation and space exploration. The city said she had dedicated more than seven decades of her life to the skies, becoming one of the world's most accomplished female pilots. "Wally Funk's unwavering determination proves that dreams have no expiration date," Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O'Dell said. "Her courage, resilience and groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire young people – especially girls – to pursue careers in science, aviation, and space exploration. Grapevine is honored to call Wally Funk one of our own." Grapevine is a suburb in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, located about 23 miles northwest of Dallas. The city notes that in 1961, Funk was picked as one of the elite women in the Mercury 13 program, also known as the First Lady Astronaut Trainees program. She s…

Wally Funk dies at 87 - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth Grapevine Historic aviator Wally Funk dies at the age of 87 Funk was the oldest person to travel to space in 2021 and was the last surviving member of the Mercury 13. By Charles Nichelson and Wilson Wong | NBC News • Published 5 hours ago • Updated 3 hours ago BOOKMARKER NBC Universal, Inc. Wally Funk’s history-making career takes center stage today as NBC 5 celebrates Women’s History Month. Aviation trailblazer Wally Funk, who lived in Grapevine, has died, according to the city. In 2021, Funk was celebrated by the city of Grapevine for her historic spaceflight aboard a Blue Origin New Shepherd rocket. The mission was six decades in the making, as Funk, known as a pioneer for women in aviation and spaceflight, underwent a series of tests as part of NASA’s first human spaceflight program, “Project Mercury,” in the 1960s. Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are WATCH HERE Funk was one of 13 women selected to undergo the tests, known as the “ Mercury 13 ." Though it is commonly held that the group of women qualified to fly in space but were excluded because of their gender, Funk was adamant she was not selected because she did not have an eng…