I knew a lot about Patricia Neal’s physical beauty from watching a number of her movies on TV when I was growing up.

It was only when I read this article, about her death yesterday from lung cancer at the age of  84, that I found out about her real beauty:

Neal’s personal life was dogged by tragedy. Love was elusive. She married only once, to British writer Roald Dahl, father of her five children — Olivia, Tessa, Theo, Ophelia and Lucy — after an unhappy romance with actor Gary Cooper.

Her first born, Olivia, died of complications from measles; her son Theo was seriously injured when his pram was hit by a taxi in New York City; and Neal was paralyzed by three cerebral aneurysms and unable to speak.

Her husband pushed, prodded and willed her into recovery, only to leave her for her best friend.

Her battle back to a remarkable life that included her children, her career and eventually “her hospital,” as she regarded the Knoxville rehabilitation center bearing her name, is inspirational to many. She visited the patients at the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center each time she was in town.

“What a life, what an example of courage to face adversity with such style and grace,” said Jennie Morrow, president of the Fort Sanders Foundation, of Patricia Neal.

“She was so inspirational to the patients. She stopped to hear their stories, held their hands, applauded them on their accomplishments. And she knew a thing about the value of applause.”

Wouldn’t Viktor Frankl be proud of her?  Rest in peace, Miss Neal, and kudos on a life well lived.