Editor's Note: Today's puzzle is, amazingly, from our lead puzzle editor. So, y'know, that's proper good. She's been very brave in the face of her own demise. 
Buuut. We think she's let the news of her death get in her own head. We think she's phoning it in. 
I mean, look, have we had worse puzzlers? Probably? 
Have we had better puzzlers? Not if you know what's good for you.
So... enjoy?

Who needs an examined life?