Wally Funk, aviation pioneer who was oldest lady to journey into house, dies at 87

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer who was the oldest lady to launch into house, has died. She was 87.

Funk died Wednesday at her house in an assisted dwelling facility within the Dallas and Fort Worth suburb of Grapevine, Texas, Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O’Dell stated Thursday. O’Dell, who described herself as Funk’s caregiver, stated she was by Funk’s facet. Funk had fallen a few instances just lately and had an an infection in her leg.

“It took its toll,” O’Dell stated in a telephone interview.

Funk was certainly one of 13 feminine pilots who went by the identical checks as NASA’s all-male astronaut corps within the early Sixties however by no means made it into house. In 2021, she received her likelihood aboard Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket.

WATCH: Blue Origin’s Jeff Bezos reaches house on 1st passenger flight

At the time, the 82-year-old was the oldest particular person to enter house, although the document was later damaged by “Star Trek” actor William Shatner and Ed Dwight, America’s first Black astronaut candidate. They had been each 90.

Bezos selected Funk as an “honored guest” to trip alongside him and two others on an up-and-down hop from West Texas aboard his Blue Origin rocket.

“Wally Funk never stopped believing that one day she would reach space. Her passion for flight, perseverance, and love of exploration will continue to inspire generations of Americans. Godspeed, Wally,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman posted Thursday on X.