JUDY WOODRUFF: The pandemic
continues to claim the lives of
hundreds of Americans every day.

We want to again take a moment
to recognize just a few of them.

Samantha Wissinger is was
a fighter. The Michigan
native never lost her
infectious laugh or

uplifting spirit, even
as she battled stage
three breast cancer and
stage four brain cancer.

She was always helping others,
whether that meant working as
a registered nurse or fostering

kittens. Last year, Samantha
married the love of her life,
Markus. Wednesday would have

been their first anniversary.
Samantha was 29 years old.

Costell Akrie was so kind
and humble that people called
him Saint Costell. He served

in the Air Force during the
Korean War, which led him to
meet Dianne. They were engaged

after one month, and would have
celebrated 65 years of marriage
this year. Costell earned

five college degrees while
working three jobs to support
his wife and two children.

Active in his community in
Oakland, California, he helped
build a neighborhood playground

and headed the Bay Area Urban
League's Bureau for Veterans
Affairs. Costell was 88.

Jeff Baumbach knew how
to brighten anyone's
day. That joyful spirit
propelled his career

as an intensive care nurse
and his volunteer work for the
Boy Scouts of America in Lodi,

California. Jeff met his wife,
Karen, in high school. Together,
they raised four children

and planned countless family
vacations, from Caribbean
cruises to Disneyland. He was 57

years old.

Eric Gore was quiet and
reserved, but fiercely
loyal to his family and
community. Following

in his father's footsteps,
Eric spent decades in the
civil service, including
as a Philadelphia

firefighter. When he wasn't
working, his daughter
Logan was always by his
side. Together, they

learned Spanish and Mandarin.
Eric was 48 years old.

Anita Wynalda of Washington
state stood at just 4 feet, 9
inches, but her daughter says

she had a huge personality.
Boisterous and loving, Anita,
or Anna, worked around the

clock to provide for her family,
including her 13 grandchildren.

Anna's generosity came through
in her work as a registered
nurse and overnight cashier

at Walmart, where she
knew many of her customers
by name. Anna was 66.

And our hearts go out to the
families of all who have lost
loved ones in this pandemic.