Like many, my first introduction to Batgirl was thanks to Yvonne Craig and the Batman 66 television series. I remember watching the show in syndication mid-day during the summer or days I was sick and home from school. As quirky and silly as the show could be, when you saw Batgirl drive by on her purple motorcycle, you knew you'd be in for a treat. She brought style and glamor to the show but also kicked the butts of many Bat-villains. She even got her own theme song. Craig was also known for playing the green-skinned Orion slave girl that wanted to kill Captain Kirk on an episode of Star Trek.
Yvonne Craig was a trained dancer and did her own stunts on the show. She was one of the first female superheroes we had on screen. Sadly, Craig has died this week after a two-year battle with breast cancer at age 78.
You can read a word from Yvonne's family on her official website HERE.
Having spent time with her over these past months, she made her wishes known to me and made me promise I would pass them along. Wish Number One, is that her family, friends and fans would know how much she loved them and always treasured her time with them. Wish Number Two, was that no one waste a moment of their time in mourning for her loss in sadness but instead celebrate the awesome life she had been fortunate enough to live. She felt that she lived a wonderful life and was blessed in many ways.
You can read her official obituary HERE.
Rest in peace Yvonne. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.