Glenn Haumann and her own web site are reporting the death, on 9 November 2008, of Sheri Kaplowitz, aka Tia Cultir. Born in 1967, she was a consultant for Lucasfilm who, according to Haumann, was signed to an “incredibly comprehensive non-disclosure agreement,” and thus couldn’t talk about her work.
She died from complications of a series of strokes suffered since this summer, and was comatose at the end. Her wife, Lori (aka Jet) has set up a memorial donation fund to help the family with funeral expenses. To donate, see this page. The memorial service will be Sunday 16 November; details will be posted on that web site when they become available.