Jim Lovell, Wife Marilyn Were Married 71 Years & Had 4 Kids
Astronaut James "Jim" Lovell was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn Lovell.
Theirs was an enduring love match that lasted 71 years, and he once called his spouse the "prettiest girl from Wisconsin."
Jim Lovell died at age 97 on Aug. 8, according to NASA.
He was a "veteran of the Gemini VII, Gemini XII, and Apollo 8 missions before becoming the Mission Commander for the nearly disastrous Apollo 13 mission to the Moon," NASA wrote.
Jim Lovell's Wife Marilyn Lillie Lovell Died in 2023
Lovell's wife Marilyn Lovell died in 2023, according to her obituary.
"On June 6, 1952, Marilyn and Jim married immediately following his graduation at St Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis, MD. Jim would proudly tell everyone he, 'married the prettiest girl from Wisconsin!'" the obituary says.
Her obit says that Marilyn Lillie Lovell died on Aug. 27, 2023, in Lake Forest, IL, surrounded by her "devoted husband of 71 years and loving family."
Jim Lovell Met His Future Wife in High School
Marilyn Lovell "was born on July 11, 1930, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of five children. As a precocious little girl, Marilyn could frequently be found in her father’s candy store window eating the chocolate bunny displays!" the obituary says. "She graduated from Juneau High School in Milwaukee where she met her future husband and partner in life, James A Lovell, Jr (Jim)."
"During college, Marilyn transferred from Wisconsin State Teachers College to George Washington University in Washington DC to be closer to Jim while he attended the US Naval Academy," according to the obit.
"Marilyn lived an extraordinary life. She expressed a charming personality, one who welcomed you with a genuine smile and engaging conversation. Marilyn served as the consummate Naval Officer’s wife, and later as an active member of the original Astronaut’s Wives Club promoting her husband’s NASA career and providing support to other astronaut wives," the obituary says.
Marilyn Lovell Had a Mountain on the Moon Named for Her
"Her greatest joy was her family. Marilyn was the matriarch of the ever-expanding Lovell family. She had four children, eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren..." the obituary says. "As a military wife, Marilyn lived in many locations, but considered Houston, Texas (20 years) and Lake Forest, Illinois (40 years) home. She and Jim also had a lake house in Horseshoe Bay, Texas where family and friends gathered for nearly 30 years."
The obit notes: "A legacy of Marilyn’s is a triangular shaped mountain on the moon that bears her name, Mount Marilyn. Jim named the mountain while mapping future landing sites during his historic Apollo 8 mission. This landmark mountain stands prominent along the edge of the moon’s Sea of Tranquility representing the steadfast strength Marilyn had throughout her life. The name Mount Marilyn was officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) on July 26, 2017."
The Lovells are survived by their kids Barbara Harrison (Ken), James Lovell III (Darice), Susan Lovell, and Jeffrey Lovell (Annie).
Related: Legendary Astronaut Dead at 97. He Was Part of Famous Missions