Notable Deaths of 2009

This year saw the deaths of artists and athletes, politicians and pioneers, the seemingly ordinary and the obviously extraordinary. The deaths were sometimes expected, like the loss of the world's oldest woman. But often, they were so sudden and stunning, like the death of superstar Michael Jackson, they seemed to take our breath away.

There's a common thread for the passings noted here: The lives and deaths of these individuals were felt far beyond their circle of family and friends, a testament to their influence and their simple ability to stand out in the crowd. In looking over the deaths of 2009, we get a new perspective on the year we lived and the lives we lead.



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