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My understanding of Mary's assumption into heaven is that since Mary was born without original sin (the Virgin Birth may not really mean that Mary was a virgin per se but that she was 'pure' in the sense that she was born without original sin in order to be a worthy vessel for carrying the Christ Child--and that the Aramaic word for 'pure' was misinterpreted as 'virgin').

If in fact she was born without original sin as was Jesus it does make sense that she was not subject to death which was one of the punishments for eating the forbidden fruit (Thanks alot Adam and Eve!).

BTW Joseph did die a human death and his soul went to Purgatory to await the death of Christ who would reopen the gates of heaven. Fanciful myth or lovely spiritual narrative--you decide.

The patron saint of my Catholic grammar school was Joseph and we were told that when Jesus opened up heaven He went to purgatory and walked past all the kings, queens, and rich merchants into a shadowy corner and lifted up Joseph, his stepdad, and brought him out first so that he could be the first to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Again--fanciful myth or lovely spiritual story--you decide. Personally I like the lovely spiritual story with its overtones of mystical calm, love and human warmth. It also taught us kids the value of humility and quiet grace and that these qualities would be rewarded.