Yes, that's why it's called "death." Sorry. Say, I wonder why we say it present tense? I mean, she died, right? She just did it once, right? It's past tense, right? I'm not picking on you, the media does it this way. I just don't know why.
Well, this is too bad. She was one of the first country singers I ever heard when I was a kid visiting the grandfolks.
The media does it that way to make it sound current and fresh. Writing in the active voice makes old news sound new, so even though Mrs. Cash passed away earlier this evening, reading the headline makes you think that your newspaper is on top of things and reporting something very new to you.