Dana Reeve was a wonderful singer/actress in her own right, starring in such acclaimed TV hits as “Law & Order” and “Oz.” But what she will forever be remembered for was her love and devotion to her husband the legendary scifi icon Christopher Reeve (Superman).

Chris was, and will always be Superman for two generations of fan. In 1995 he was in a serious horse riding accident that caused him to have severe spinal chord injuries, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. Chris died just this past October.

Dana was constantly at his side, putting her own career and needs on hold in order to care for the man that she loved so dearly and that the world held close to its heart. After Chris’s death she took over the reigns of the Christopher Reeve Foundation, an organization dedicated to funding research into spinal cord injuries and their cures.

Not too long ago Dana, a non-smoker, announced that she had not been feeling well herself and went to see her doctor. After a battery of tests it was discovered that she was suffering from lung cancer. In the face of that diagnosis she ventured further into her foundation fund-raising work and dedicating herself even more to her 13-year old son Will and her two step children.

Dana succumed to the cancer yesterday and died at the young age of 44. Her legacy of care giving and devotion is an inspiration to every family going through their own personal tragedies. In the world of real-life superheros Dana ranks among the most heroic and admired.

Her family has requested that any donations should be made in Dana Reeve’s memory to the Christopher Reeve Foundation in Short Hills New Jersey.