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 statement shared by the city on social media.
“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 flying club and earned her pilot’s license a year later, according to the Lonestar Flight Museum in Houston.
Funk was undaunted when airlines turned her down after she earned her Airline Transport Pilot rating. She became the first female flight inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration and the first female investigator for the National Transportation and Safety Board.
