Blackman had been battling cancer in recent years.
A black woman who grew up in the 50s in segregated Chicago,Mrs R moved into the White House to watch her daughter become first lady of the United States.
Conceptual photographer Rosemary Laing was best known for her images of brides suspended in the sky.
The Melbourne-based artist developed an international following for her acerbic and witty installations and photography.
Police are now examining why the 54-year-old star had so much ketamine in his system when he died in October.
Ivan Boesky,who rose to fame and fortune before heading to jail,was believed to have been the model for Wall Street’s Gordon Gekko,one of Hollywood’s most memorable villains.
Often ranked with Anton Chekhov,John Cheever and a handful of others,Munro achieved stature rare for an art form traditionally placed beneath the novel.
Jim Simons was working for the US government cracking codes and ciphers used by the Soviet Union when he had a brainwave.
The much-loved US entertainment presenter hosted his regular segment just hours before his death.
Steve Albini engineered albums like Nirvana’s In Utero,but took no royalties from it and railed against the music industry.
Jones was lead singer of Jimmy and the Boys and went on to direct some of Sydney’s leading arts festivals.