had a history of health problems   「健康上の問題を持っていた」このように表現するのですね
catapult  [キャタパルト] 　 （軍艦などの）飛行機射出装置、カタパルトで勢いよく発進する


WYNETTE DEAD AT 55:                                                      
- Tammy Wynette, who many called "the first lady of country music" 
with hits including "Stand by Your Man," died Monday at age 55.
Wynette, who had a history of health problems, died Monday evening 
at her home, said spokesman Wes Vause. The cause of her death was 
not immediately disclosed. 
She was one of country music's greatest success stories, catapulting 
from a job in a beauty shop to a three-time winner of the Country 
Music Association's female vocalist of the year award - 1968 to 1970. 
Only Reba McEntire won the honor more times - four. 
She recorded more than 50 albums and sold more than 30 million records.