**Megan Marshack, Aide to Nelson Rockefeller Who Was with Him at His Death in 1979, Dies at 70**
Megan Marshack, an aide to Nelson Rockefeller who was present when the former vice president passed away in 1979, has died at the age of 70 in California. She succumbed to liver and kidney failure on October 2, as detailed in an obituary shared by a funeral home in Sacramento.
Marshack’s career spanned journalism, but it was her association with Rockefeller that thrust her into the national spotlight. When Rockefeller suffered a fatal heart attack on January 26, 1979, discrepancies emerged about the circumstances surrounding his death and his relationship with Marshack, a 25-year-old researcher at the time.
Initially, it was reported that Rockefeller died at his offices in Rockefeller Center, but later accounts suggested he was at his private offices elsewhere in Manhattan. Speculation swirled about the events leading up to his death and the individuals present. Marshack, who refrained from discussing the incident, garnered media attention, earning her a place on People magazine’s list of the 25 “Most Intriguing Personalities” for 1979.
Decades later, through her obituary penned the previous year, Marshack provided limited insights into her friendship with Rockefeller. Her brother, Jon Marshack, revealed that she never disclosed further details, possibly due to a non-disclosure agreement. Despite the intrigue surrounding their connection, Marshack and Rockefeller were described as close friends.
During her time as Rockefeller’s assistant press secretary, Marshack navigated the complexities of working alongside a figure of political prominence. After Rockefeller’s passing, she resumed her journalistic pursuits and eventually settled in California, where she met her husband. Her devotion to her work and her personal relationships shines through in her closing obituary quote from “A Chorus Line” – “… won’t forget, can’t regret what I did for love.”
Marshack’s legacy lives on through her journalistic contributions and her association with one of America’s notable political figures. She leaves behind her brother, Jon Marshack, as she departs from a life intertwined with history and enigma.