Dorothy Catherine 'DC' Fontana, the first female writer for 'Star Trek', passed away. She was 80. According to the Star Trek website, Fontana died on Monday evening following a short illness.

The writer penned numerous stories for the original "Star Trek" TV series, and developed one of its signature characters, Spock. She wrote 1967's "Journey to Babel," which introduced Spock's father Sarek and mother Amanda.