Dear Syag,
Agreed. One does not have to be a great tzaddik, to invoke great benefit for the Jewish People. (Both ideas have their place.)
I’m bothered by the term korbonos. Rashi is comparing the effect of Miriam’s death to the effect of parah adumah. She is and was still Miriam.
Another point. How the public comes to terms with tragedy, is very different from those who experienced it personally.