Majel Barrett Roddenberry Passes Away

Widow of Star Trek creater Gene Roddenberry, Majel, passed away in her sleep in her Bel Air home surrounded by family and loved ones. Majel Barrett, as she was credited for her screen roles, was 76 years old and she died of leukemia.

This is a sad day for the Barrett and Roddenberry families and my prayers go out to them in their time of need. It is always hard to lose someone close to you, especially with the holidays right around the corner. Unfortunately, I have had the sad experience of losing a close family member the past two Christmas seasons, so this time of year comes with bettersweet feelings.

Although she has gone home to be with Gene, there is much to celebrate her career. She is most closely associated with Star Trek, not only through her marriage but also as an actress and voice actor. She portrayed Nurse Chapel on the original series in the 1960's, Lt. M'Ress on the animated series in the 1970's, plus as the computers voice on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise(some more extensive tha others), not to mention a number of the movies. She also completed work providing the voice of the computer for JJ Abrams' upcoming Star Trek reboot. She even provided voice work for an episode of fan-produced series Star Trek: New Voyages.

In addition to all of her Star Trek work, she also appeared in such films and shows as Westworld, Babylon 5, Family Guy, and the Gene Roddenberry created Earth: Final Conflict.

Mrs. Roddenberry is a woman who will always be remembered by family, loved ones, and fans alike. For more information regarding where to send condolences or donations in her memory, please visit Roddenberry.com.

Here is a scene from the episode "Amok Time" featuring Nurse Chapel and Spock: