North Texas aviation pioneer Wally Funk dies, aged 87

Wally Funk, a pioneering aviator and the oldest woman to journey into space, has died at the age of 87. The city of Grapevine, Texas, announced her peaceful passing surrounded by loved ones.

Funk dedicated over seven decades to aviation, earning recognition as one of the most accomplished female pilots globally. Her determination shattered barriers for women in aerospace. Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O'Dell stated, "Wally Funk's unwavering determination proves that dreams have no expiration date." O'Dell added that Funk's courage and achievements continue to inspire young people, particularly girls, to pursue careers in science, aviation, and space exploration.

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Wally Funk's unwavering determination proves that dreams have no expiration date. Her courage, resilience and groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire young people – especially girls – to pursue careers in science, aviation, and space exploration. Grapevine is honored to call Wally Funk one of our own.

Born in 1939, Funk was selected for the elite Mercury 13 program in 1961, also known as the First Lady Astronaut Trainees. She successfully completed the same rigorous physical and psychological tests as NASA's male astronauts, often outperforming them. Despite her qualifications, women were not permitted to become NASA astronauts at the time. Funk forged her own path, becoming the first female flight instructor at Fort Sill, the first female inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, and the first female air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board.

Her lifelong dream of space travel was realized in July 2021, at age 82, when she joined Jeff Bezos on Blue Origin's New Shepard NS-16 mission. This flight made her the oldest woman to travel to space, earning a Guinness World Record, and the sole member of the Mercury 13 program to reach space. During the flight, she famously asked over the radio, "What's the holdup?" before the rocket's powerful ascent.

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What's the holdup?