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Last U.S. Iron-Lung Patient Dies After Tornado Power Outage

7/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Martha Lillard died on June 26 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, the United States’ last surviving iron-lung patient.
She married Baha Salh in February after a 20-year online relationship and his visa approval.
A tornado cut power to her iron lung, and Salh performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until help arrived.
Despite chronic lung impairment, she drove, painted, wrote poetry, composed piano music and rescued dogs for the Humane Society.

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Story summary

Martha Lillard died on June 26 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, the United States’ last surviving iron-lung patient.
She married Baha Salh in February after a 20-year online relationship and his visa approval.
A tornado cut power to her iron lung, and Salh performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until help arrived.
Despite chronic lung impairment, she drove, painted, wrote poetry, composed piano music and rescued dogs for the Humane Society.