Like, say...Mother Teresa. :-)
When I read Hithchens' lament that he was relegated to terminal patient status instead of doing something more noble and important, I thought of the bravery of ordinary people who don't whine, but just keep teaching and inspiring with their dignity and grace.
Here is a young lady who was handed a great sorrow that cut short her ordinary young life. I read her blog every day and she uses her suffering (which is immense) to praise others for their service to her and to call attention to the spiritual needs of others.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carriemaniscalco Hitchen's spiritual poverty denied him the grace of finding meaning for his life at its end and a way to stay connected to others who would survive him. Now he will mostly be remembered not for his works, but as "a brilliant dead atheist" I'd like to think he experienced the same awe as did Steve Jobs at his final moment of passing, and was able to enter into it.