Southwest Customer-Service Exec Teresa Laraba Dies at 53

Teresa Laraba, one of the highest-ranking females executives in the airline industry, died on Christmas Day at the age of 53.

The cause of death was not released.

“Teresa Laraba contributed so much to Southwest Airlines during her more than 30 years with the company and she will be forever in our hearts,” Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said in the statement.

Laraba began her airline career as a part-time customer service agent at Southwest in 1984; most recently, she was senior vice president of customers and culture.

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