DANA REEVE PROVED THAT SHE, TOO, WAS SUPER

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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Monday marked the passing of Dana Reeve, 44, who lost her own battle with lung cancer less than two years after her husband, actor Christopher Reeve, died of complications related to paralysis.

Her husband was famous first as the Man of Steel in the "Superman" movies, and then as an inspirational figure for people with disabilities after a riding accident left him confined to a wheelchair and unable to breathe without a respirator.

An actress on stage and television, Dana Reeve became well known for a different role, one that, like her husband, she never wanted, but refused to shirk.

They met in 1987 when Christopher Reeve saw her (then Dana Morosini) performing in a cabaret act at the Williamstown (Mass.) Theatre Festival.

He found her alluring, but she was skeptical of the tall actor famous for his portrayal of a comic book figure.

After ten days of mostly flirting, he asked her on a date and they shared their first kiss.

They lived together for three years before marrying in 1992.

When Christopher Reeve was paralyzed, Dana Reeve remained by his side, helping him to recover both physically and emotionally, although her own acting career languished.

Through the New Jersey-based Christopher Reeve Foundation, she helped raise $60 million in research funds for neuroscientists.

She detested sentimental depictions of her husband or her own efforts to help him.

"Of course I am doing this. What other option is there?" she asked in an interview.

By giving her greatest performance in a role many would have rejected, Dana Reeves helped thousands of people alive today and many more not yet born.