Jim and Jane Henson in the 1950s 

            Jane Henson (Nebel; June 16, 1934 – April 2, 2013)

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The Jim Henson Co. says Henson’s partner in
marriage and Muppets has died.

The company says Jane Henson died Tuesday at her Connecticut
home following a battle with cancer.

She and Jim Henson met in a University of Maryland puppetry class
in the mid-1950s, and they became creative and business partners
in the development of the Muppets.

The Henson’s married in 1959 and had five children: Lisa, Cheryl,
Brian, John and Heather. The pair separated in 1986, and Jim
Henson died in 1990.

In 1992, Jane Henson created and funded The Jim Henson Legacy
to preserve his artistic contributions.

A memorial Mass is planned next week.

Jane and Jim with a member of the Muppet family

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) – The oldest living person in the United States has
died at the age of 113, just a few days before her 114th birthday.

Elsie Thompson, who became the nation’s oldest living person in January, died
March 21, according to a spokeswoman from her church in Clearwater, Fla.

A memorial service for Thompson was held at Skycrest United Methodist Church
on March 26.

Thompson was born in Beaver Falls, Pa., on April 5, 1899. Her husband, Ronald Thompson, was a Republican state senator in Pennsylvania and in 1971, the
couple moved to Clearwater, Fla. Mr. Thompson died in 1986.

Mrs. Thompson is survived by her son, who is in California, and four grandchildren.

She said that the secret to her longevity was the fact that she loved people and
greeted each new day with a smile.

Yank Barry

(Fox News) – Forty-five years ago, Yank Barry was belting out “Louie, Louie”
with iconic band The Kingsmen (1968-1970). Cut to 2013, and he’s a third-
time Nobel Peace Prize nominee with very real prospects of joining the ranks
of past winners including The Dalai Lama and Mother Teresa. Barry was
nominated for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize.

The philanthropist along with his friend and partner Muhammad Ali have fed
over 910,000,000 documented meals to the needy around the world over
the last twenty years. Barry, 65, said “I was very surprised. It was gratifying,”

Yank Barry and Muhammad Ali shown with the Gusi Peace
Prize in 2011.

Deke Richards (center) pictured with fellow songwriters Alphonzo Mizell,
left, and Freddie Perren.

BELLINGHAM, Wash (AP) – Motown songwriter-producer Deke Richards has
died at a Bellingham, Wash., hospice.

Peace Health St. Joseph Medical Center spokeswoman Amy Cloud confirms
that Richards, whose real name was Dennis Lussier, died Sunday the 24th 
at the Whatcom Hospice House.

A statement from Universal Music said Richards had been battling esophageal
cancer.

Universal Music says that as leader of the Motown songwriting, arranging and
producing team known as The Corporation, Richards was involved in writing
and producing many Jackson 5 hits. Those songs included the Jackson 5’s
first three No. 1 hits — "I Want You Back," "ABC," and "The Love You Save."

He also co-wrote "Love Child" for Diana Ross & The Supremes, as well Ross’
solo "I’m Still Waiting."

 
     Lori March Scourby (March 6, 1923 – March 19, 2013)

Lori March Scourby, an actress known as the “First Lady of Daytime
Television” for her decades of work in serials who also starred in a
memorable 1960 episode of The Twilight Zone, died in her sleep
March 19. No other details of her death were immediately available.

Scourby played Valerie Hill Ames Northcoate on CBS’ The Secret
Storm from 1964-74 (Alexander played her husband for a couple
of years on the show) and appeared on other soaps including The
Brighter Day, Search for Tomorrow, One Life to Live, The Edge of
Night, Texas, Guiding Light and Another World.

She was the wife of the late Alexander Scourby, an actor and narrator
of numerous audiobooks including the King James Bible

Alexander Scourby

Lori March Scourby and Fritz Weaver from The Twilight Zone episode, Third
From The Sun which aired January 8, 1960.