Deaths of note from around the world:
Phyllis Thaxter, 92: Actress known for her role as Superman’s mother in the 1978 film starring Christopher Reeve; she also had a prolific film and television career that spanned decades. Died Tuesday in Longwood, Fla., after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Von Freeman, 88: Considered one of the finest tenor saxophonists in jazz, but only gained wide fame later in life; he was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, the nation’s highest honor in the field. Died Aug. 11 in Chicago of heart failure.
Brent Grulke, 51: Creative director of South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, who helped grow it into one of the world’s largest music festivals. Died Monday in Austin of a heart attack.
Gerard Campbell, 92: Jesuit priest and former president and professor of history at Georgetown University. Died Aug. 9 at the Jesuit residence on campus.
Patrick Ricard, 67: Grew his family’s small liquor firm, Pernod Ricard, into a global brand with the acquisition of Absolut Vodka and Jameson Irish Whisky. Died Friday.
