Of course she will be criticized by many good Catholics for her beach party movies, in which part, by the way, she refused to wear a two-piece swimsuit. The token “ethnic” Musketeer was easily the most popular star in Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club show (he himself personally cast her for the part). Annette loved Our Lady and had a shrine built for her in her back yard. She and co-star Frankie Avalon would always be proudly identified with their Catholic Faith. Avalon has been married to the same woman for fifty years and they had eight children. Side note: I never knew until a few minutes ago, after reading up on her life, that Paul Anka’s “Puppy Love” hit was written to defuse the pain of his unrequited “crush” on Annette Funicello. Now that her twenty-five years of suffering from MS are over may this sweet and patient lady rest in peace.
Read more from her website here.
