News
Martha Lillard, last US polio patient using iron lung, dies at 78 in Oklahoma
Summary by Magnolia News Editorial Desk · Byline on the source page: Jennifer Sinco Keleher, Associated Press , as published by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 11, 2026
· 1 min read
Photo: KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) · view original
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by Magnolia News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Byline on source page Jennifer Sinco Keleher, Associated Press, as published by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 11, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log · Publisher’s note
Key points She was 78 years old when she passed away in Oklahoma. Her sister also mentioned that the effects of long-haul COVID-19 contributed to her death.
A woman who depended on an iron lung to live after being diagnosed with polio as a child has died. She was 78 years old when she passed away in Oklahoma. Her sister reported that she was the last US polio patient using the machine.
The cause of death is attributed to chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome, according to the death certificate. Her sister also mentioned that the effects of long-haul COVID-19 contributed to her death.
Further details about her life and passing are available from the source, including her experiences growing up with polio and using the iron lung.
More News Today’s briefing Local events
Why this story is here
KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) reported and published this story. Magnolia News selected it, summarised the key facts above, and links to the original. We did not report this story and we added no reporting of our own to it.
About this story
As published by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Magnolia News selects stories from publishers’ feeds, summarises them, and links back to the publisher that reported them. We add no reporting of our own. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact the editor .
Category: News ·
Published: July 11, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A woman who depended on an iron lung to live after being diagnosed with polio as a child has died. She was 78 years old when she passed away in Oklahoma. Her sister reported that she was the last US…
When was this published? This article was first published on July 11, 2026 by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Magnolia News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jennifer Sinco Keleher, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Magnolia News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more News coverage from Magnolia News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More News →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter