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Susan Stamberg, an original National Public Radio staffer who went on to become the first U.S. woman to anchor a nightly national news program, died Thursday at the age of 87.

Few figures have informed the sensibility of NPR more than Stamberg. Colleagues considered her a mentor, a yenta, a founding mother — always tough, and always true to herself.

Stamberg is survived by her son, the actor Josh Stamberg, and her granddaughters Vivian and Lena.

NPR host Scott Simon contended she was the first real human being to host a regular evening newscast. Stamberg even knit while sitting in front of the microphone at All Things Considered .

Stamberg's stories and segments over the decades spanned the human experience, from examining matters of state to illu

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