Today, we hear from Margalit Fox, author and obituary writer for The New York Times. In more than 1,200 obituaries, Fox has penned the final words for such prominent people as Charles Manson, Maya Angelou and Dear Abby – and such obscure individuals as the inventor of the Frisbee and the pink plastic flamingo.

Obscure that is, until The Times goes to print.

Listen to a master of her craft in this interview – which is by turns enlightening and entertaining. And if Margalit ever calls you asking to update the files – well, you may, or may not, want to take her call. Margalit explains…

This is an audio version of a broadcast of the Story in the Public Square TV and Sirius/XM Satellite radio program, recorded in the studios of Rhode Island PBS and hosted by me and Jim Ludes of the Pell Center at Salve Regina University. Story in the Public Square is a partnership of the Pell Center and The Providence Journal. For more, visit providencejournal.com or pellcenter.org