Farewell, Number 1, Nurse Christine Chapel & Lwaxana Troi

She was the only person to appear in every version of Star Trek from the original pilot to the new movie coming out in 2009.

My favorite story is 1 that Gene Roddenberry loved to tell. In the original pilot she played the 2nd in command, Number 1. She was the one without emotions at the time, not Spock. When the suits at NBC saw the pilot they told Roddenberry to get rid of number 1 & by the way, also the pointed eared cvharacter. Roddenberry knew he could only save 1 of the 2 characters. So as he put it, "I saved Spock & married her. I obviously couldn't do it the other way arround."

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry Passes

By T'BonzDecember 18, 2008 - 9:10 PM

Majel Barrett Roddenberry widow of Gene Roddenberry, died today at her home in Bel Air, California.

As reported by Access Hollywood, Barrett-Roddenberry died after battling leukemia, which was diagnosed earlier this year. Her son Rod was by her side.
Majel Lee Hudac was born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 23, 1932. After moving to California in the 1950s, she found roles in shows such as Bonanza, The Untouchables, The Lucy Show, Leave it to Beaver and The Lieutenant as well as her work on Star Trek.
Barrett-Roddenberry appeared on the original Star Trek pilot, The Cage where she played the role of Number One. That role was not continued into the series when it was picked up, but Barrett-Roddenberry changed her hair color and became nurse Christine Chapel. She also appeared in Star Trek: The Voyage Home reprising her role. For Star Trek: The Next Generation Barrett-Roddenberry portrayed the Betazoid Lwaxana Troi, mother of counselor Deanna Troi.
In addition to acting roles in Star Trek, Barrett-Roddenberry did voice work, in the Animated Series and she was the voice of the computer for several of the Star Trek movies, including the forthcoming Star Trek XI.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the CARE Organization or Precious Paws both of which share Roddenberry's love for animals and dedication to animal rescue.
To read more, head to the article located here.

here are a couple of fan tributes: