Folk singer Laura Nyro, a songwriter who influenced a plethora of female artists over the last three decades, died April 8 of ovarian cancer. Nyro spent her teenage years writing hit music for such musicians as Peter, Paul and Mary, Three Dog Night and Barbra Streisand. In addition, Nyro influenced the likes of Suzanne Vega, Rickie Lee Jones and Roseanne Cash, female artists who went on to achieve more fame than their mentor. Nyro is survived by her son, Gil Bianchini and her companion Maria Desiderio. Nyro was 49 years old. (AB)