I see my sweetheart is gone, to a better place, may God Bless her soul and
my condolences
to all her family, my sweet heart I say because I fell for her the day I
first saw her as she
signed her autograph for me back in the early 1940's at the time she was
making Flying
Tigars with The Duke, John Wayne, as the picture shows us on pictures
number 4, I'm
sorry to say I lost that autograph in time, but never lost the picture, I
had requested her
autograph, wish I had gotten one, but I'm happy to still have her memory
in that picture.
Just lost two in our family last month also, just happen to view the Net
and saw the news,
wish I had checked early, but then I was in Los Angeles at that time to an
Aunts funeral.
Please my regards and condolences to all her family, she is my loss also,
she was my
first love, but she never knew it.
Ray
I was so saddened to hear of Anna Lee's passing. She was a women of so
much
class, and beauty. She was a true classic. I have watched General
Hospital
since I was a child, and when Anna came on the screen, I would have
chills.
I will miss her. My deepest condolances go out to her family.
Hollie Thompson, Pittsburgh, PA
I was saddened to hear of the death of Anna Lee. My mom and Anna were
good friends when I was growing up. I have fond memories as a kid playing
with her sons. She was very kind and helpful to my mother when she was
sick in the hospital. I will be at her memorial service. - Carla
My heart goes out to the family of one of my favorite actress' Ms.Anna
Lee. It was also on the same day May 14th that my 1st grandchild walked
into the arms of God and I know with such a kind heart as Ms.Lee's even
though she did not know my grandchild here on earth that she is there and
taking great care of that baby. We know not why God has chosen this time
to take the ones we love so dear but it is his will and in time we will
heal from the hurt but we will always remember. May God Bless Each and
Everyone
I am a Captain in the USAF currently serving as a flight nurse in the
Pacific. I have been a fan for years and was heart broken to hear of her
death. We all loved her as Lila on General Hospital. We also won't
forget her beautiful sweet voice in "The Sound of Music", but I will
always remember her as the nurse in "Flying Tigers" with John Wayne.
She was a true Lady and a treasure. Thank you Anna Lee for sharing your
talent with us. I wish I could be at the memorial. I will be there in
thought and prayer.
Captain Kimberli Goodner
HI
I BEEN WATCHING GH SINCE I WAS A BABY. IN 1978 I SAW A NEW
CHARACTER EDWARD AND LILA QUARTERMAINE AT THAT TIME THEY WERE PLAY BY
DAVID LEWIS AND ANNA LEE. OVER THE YEARS WHEN EVER LILA (ANNA LEE) CAME
ON SCREEN I SMILED BECAUSE I KNEW LILA WILL PUT EVERYBODY IN THEIR PLACE
ESPECIALLY EDWARD. ANNA'S CHARACTER GOT RESPECT FROM EVERYBODY.
I WAS SAD WHEN THE SHOW TOOK HER OFF THE SHOW.
WHEN I HEARD SHE PASSED AWAY I WAS SAD, THAT MEAN LILA NEVER COMING
BACK.
TO THE FAMILY OF ANNA LEE MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY.
LISA LINCKE CUERO, TEXAS
Anna Lee lived down the road from us on the Rusk Hwy when she was
married to Geo. Stafford in Palestine, Texas. I would see her at the
grocery store and her 2 Dgts were litle and I was just a little older
then them. I always thought she was so pretty . I enjoyed watching her
on General Hosp. I am so saddened by her passing. My mother would have
bee in her 90is if she had lived. My deepest symphy to her family and
children. Regards, Nancy McAlister
I would like to let Anna Lee's Family know that my thoughts and prayers
are with them in their lose of Anna. Although I never had the opportunity
to meet her, you can tell she was a gracious and caring woman by
everything you read about her.
I am one of those people who like to name their plants, and I just want
to let her family know that about 10 years ago, I named a Daylily after
her. I used her character and real life last name...Lila Lee..... And
every summer, when she blooms, I would say Good Morning or Hello to her.
This year was especially sentimental.
God Bless You Anna...I know you already have your wings, because you were
an angel here on earth.
Love Always and Forever,
Tona..NJ
Hi
I really like your website about Anna Lee. She was the best part of
GH i used to get so Happy when the would show her. I hope the show will
still talk about her in there story line's. She was the best and one
Beautiful Lady.
We All Miss You Anna!!!!!!!!
Thanks
Shawn
I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy to Anna Lee's family. I was so
stunned to find out that she had passed away. I remember seeing her
movies and watching her on GH as Lila Q. for more than 25 years and
remember how kind, nice and thoughtful she was on both film and tv. The
film and tv industry has lost a great actress and lady. She will be
greatly missed by her family and friends.
Susan
Chicago, IL
I'm so sad, now that Anna Lee is gone, General Hospital will never be the
same again. I've watched GH since my kids were babies, Steve Hardy, I also
miss. Anna Lee was such a grandma model, she was funny sometimes and enjoy
whenever she came out, which was no too often in later years. Shame on
General Hospital executives for treating her so badly on her last years.
It was a human thing to keep her working in GH, my God they were the last
years of her life. I still watch GH but only because I like all the the
Quartermaine. I'm so angry, Our beloved Edward, he went to work for
another soap, These older people made the show, it was like our
grandparents. What's going to happened to Alan, Monica, Tracy, when they
get older. The older generation is like family. ABC shame on you. I feel
so bad for Anna's son, to see his mom treated like that. I know ABC made
her very, very sad.
Mercy
I had been watching GH since its inception....and I don't remember Lila in
a wheelchair until the 90ties....96-97 somewhere around in there she used
a cane until then. And I was sadden by her death she will be missed and I
hope her family sues ABC for this insult. I am 56 now so YOU know how
long I have been watching....my mom watched it also and got me hooked. I
stopped watching due to all the violence.
Loyal fan
Marilyn
I just wanted you to know how sad I was to hear that she has left us to
carry on without her. I loved her wisdom and how she always kept Edward
in line. I shall miss seeing her and waiting for her words that would
calm the household.
God Bless her and keep her,
Yvonne
NC
I just found out today in the last 15 minutes of the show that Anna
Lee/Lila had died. I was in a state of shock as she was so much of that
show and knew how to put Edward in his place. I have watched the show for
many, many years and will miss her very much. I remember watching her in
"The Sound of Music" and she was great as a nun as I'm sure she was in any
character she played. My sympathy's go out to her family, friends, the
cast of GH, and her fans.
Kay from Duluth, MN
I am a male and have been watching GH off and on for many years and grew
to
love Lila as much as anyone could. I found myself in tears when I found
out
about her death. I agree with Tracy, she was a source of great hope.
I was devastated to hear of Anna Lee's passing, 2 months later. I cried
when I watched today's episode. I always admired Anna. She was like a
breath of fresh air to General Hospital. She will be deeply missed by
this
devoted fan.
Loretta from Oregon
I want to thank you for the opportunity to send
my thoughts. Anna was an amazing lady.
I'm only sixteen years old. Six years ago, I
found myself looking for something to watch on
television when I got home from middle school. I
fell in love with Lila Quatermaine on General
Hospital instantly. Her beauty and poise captured
my attention whenever she graced the screen. As
her appearances dwindled, I found myself missing
the Quatermaine patriarch more and more. As
disgusted as I am with General Hospital at the
moment particularly with the way they treated
such an admirable woman, I watched it today for
the first time in awhile and found myself bawling
by the show's end. I believe I was so moved by
Lila's death because actors and actresses seemed
to have left their scripts at home. They weren't
characters on the show, they were people. They
weren't honoring Lila Quatermaine, but they were
honoring Anna Lee. Six years of watching General
Hospital climaxed for me watching this. Although
never seeing any of her movies or knowing her
really at all, I was truly graced with her
presence.
Katy
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
To the families of Anna Lee :
My prayers are with you , your family and the General Hosptial cast ..
When
I first learned of her death , I was shocked and saddened.
She was a lady with great class and wonderful actress .. We will alway
remember her ...
Today General Hospital has started to annouced Lila's death on the show
,
All the actors/actress showed their loss of a wonderful lady ..
The show brought tears to my eyes .as they honor and remember Lila's ..
I
started to remember all the movies that Anna did and well I have
watched her on GH since day one when she first came on ..
I beleive she lived a wonderful long life and has many great admirers
.May
she rested in peace .. WE love you Anna .
Lori Anne F.
British Columbia , Canada
I have loved her since the Sound of Music as the most encouraging
nun(Sister
Marguerite), her presence made everything seem...just a bit sweeter
p.phillips
I have just finished reading the comments regarding Anna's passing.
All of them say everything that I would want to say.
Anna/ Lila will be missed very much. She was the kind of lady that I would
wish my Grandmother would have been.
Thank you Anna for bringing dignity, love to GH.
Sharon, MI
To the family of Anna Lee
I am a long time fan of GH and have been watching since Laura joined the
show. My favorite was always Lila Quartermain. Never have I seen an
actress with
such grace, poise and tenderness as Anna Lee. She will truly be missed as
she
was loved by all. My heart goes out to her family (and soap family) as I
too
have lost my mother reciently and cried thru the whole show today. God
Bless
Dawn
Florida
Hi Suzanne,
As I was cleaning my garage this past weekend, I found an old magazine
title "Daytimers" dated February 1982 where they show Luke and Laura's
Wedding. There is a photo of Anna Lee sitting in the patio with Mr. Lewis,
who played (Edward) for many years and John Beradino. Anna looked so
beautiful! I just wanted to share that with you.
take care,
Mercy
I'm going to miss Lila. I've watched her for many years. She is so much
like my grandmother. My friends and I cried when we found out the news of
her passing. There will never be such an admired woman on T.V. as Anna
Lee.
My prayers are with the family,
Regina Norwood
Over the years I have watched Ms Lee is movies as well as General
Hospital. I think choosing her to play the matriarch, Lila Quartermaine,
was the BEST thing GH executives EVER did!
In the beginning all people did was talk about Lila. I kept thinking,
"what would a woman of such great character who keeps this dysfunctional
family together look like?" The day in 1978 when she appeared, I was so
excited to see her! GH had picked the perfect actress to portray this
amazing lady.
Anna Lee MUST have brought her own graciousness and sense of style with
her into the character. I always knew it couldn't have just been acting.
I've missed her since the beginning of 2004 when she left. I'll miss her
from now on.
Those of us who were fans of Ms Lee as well as of the Lila she portrayed,
grieve with you in your loss.
Pat Edwards
Kansas City, MO
ANNA LEE WAS A GREAT AND WONDERFUL ACTRESS ...I WAS REALLY HURT TO HEAR
ABOUT HER PASSING ..SHE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED IN ALL OF OUR HEARTS...I
WATCHED GH MY WHOLE LIFE ...GH WAS PART OF THIS FAMILY WE ALL WATCHED
IT... AND I WAS REALLY DISTURBED TO HEAR HOW ABC TREATED HER NO ONE SHE BE
TREATED IN SUCH A WAY ...SHE TOUCHED ALL OF OUR HEARTS THROUGH THE
YEARS...MY LOVE AND BLESSING GO TO HER FAMILY...
SHAWNA (OHIO)
It was 1980 when I began watching GH. Anna was such a magical breath of
fresh
air, her entire run. She was so sweet and adoring. She reminded me so
much
of my own grandmother. She was a truly wonderful woman and the Earth has
lost
yet another angel.
My deepest condolences to her family and all of those who feel her loss.
Respectful regards,
Karen Camp, Ohio
HI MY NAME IS MARCI I WILL MISS ANNA LEE ALOT I START WATCHING GH WHEN I
WAS
11 YEAR OLD IN 1992 WHEN SONNY COME ON . I LOVE WHEN YOU LOVE ALL THE
PEOPLE
IN PORT CHASTER. I LOVE WHEN LET SONNY IN THE FAMILY. I REAL MISS HER
ALOT. I
SEND ALL MY LOVE TO HER FAMILY AND THE CAST OF GH.
YOUR FRIEND
MARCI
I just finished watching the memorial service for Lila on General
Hospital, and thought I would check on the internet to see what has really
happened,
if Anna Lee had passed. I clicked on your web page first, and I want to
thank
you for the truth about how ABC ('abc' which stands for ass biting
cheap--pardon me, I am really angry about this) anyway, about how ABC has
mistreated
Anna Lee and John Ingle. This is a total and complete outrage, how dare
they have
treated this woman the way they did, what bastards!!!!!! I am so very
angry,
I hope someone sues them. They have in effect murdered her with their
unconscionable disregard for her.
So, the Disney corporation owns ABC? Well, I will never, EVER go
there
again, nor will I EVER attend another Disney movie, or Touchstone movie, I
will
go out of my way to never give them or any of their corporate pawn/stooge
companies any of my money. And I will be sure that I tell all of my
friends that
this is how they treated a disabled senior citizen, a woman that had been
a
faithful and dedicated employee of the ABC network for 30+ years.
I am so angry, and I am even horrified that a company that presents
itself as a loving, family-oriented business is merely another
capitalistic
heartless mindless money grubbing filthy screw-over machine that cares for
nothing
but 'the bottom line', the almighty damn dollar. Well, Disney Corporation
has
apparently forgotten the character Bob Marley (from Ebenezer Scrooge, they
made
several full feature cartoons about that story); he was Ebenezer Scrooge's
partner, and he was an evil heartless miser, very similar to the Disney
Corporation. He ended up in Hell with an enormous heavy chain locked
around his neck
that he had to carry for eternity. The Disney Corporation/ABC Television
WILL
end up just like Bob Marley.
My original intent was to tell you thank you for telling the truth
about
this horrible situation, thank you very much for the truth! I apologize
for
my venting, please forgive me.
Sincerely, Sherrie
I only knew Anna Lee from General Hospital and, like everyone else, I
adored
her. I don't pay much attention to news and such so it was on GH that I
found out she had passed away. I was so shocked! She has been the rock
for
the Quartermaine family forever. It just seemed like she would always be
there. I will miss her so much.
Thank you for such a lovely site in tribute to a lovely lady.
Debbie, Texas
This is a wonderful tribute site to the wonderful Anna Lee. I just
watched
the GH tribute to her and was so completely moved. They did a wonderful
job.
I was in tears. I feel they made up for the way they treated her in the
end. Again, thank you for this wonderful website.
Her forever fan,
Kristin
The greatest lady that was on this Earth Is now gone, but she will always
be in our Hearts. As a young man My mother had passed along time ago when
i was a child, I had became a rebelious young man drinking and in trouble
all the time, and one day back in the 70s i was watching GH on Tv and that
is the first time that i remember seeing Lila Quatermaine, I had not a
clue who she was, but everyday after that i could not wait to see her on
TV. Everytime that lady had something to say brought back so many Memories
what a mother ws like, so she became my TV mom and from that time on my
life had change, I got my act togeather and became a Police Officer, and
to this day I have never missed one of their shows. If I worked the day
shift i had a portable Tv in my unit.
But my point is we lost a Mother. she will be so missed. God needed a
Special Angel, well now he is walking with her through her Journey to
award her with her Wings.
She touched so many People.
Chuck Buchanan
Hi Suzanne
Nice tribute to Anna on your web site - It is unfortunate that it took her passing for Generatl Hospital to showcase her on the show since last year and also give her costars some air time as well.
I hope the powers that be take notice of what the viewers want (and not just the advertisers) as there does not seem to be any nostalgia tied to the show which should be changed to General Sopranos or something.... I was surprised they did not invite Rachel Ames to the taping as well.
Thank you for hearing me out....
Take care
Ben Laurro
Lila Quartermaine's Funeral brought me to tears, I could see the pain and
loss of all these actors. Jason, Monica, Alan, Tracy, their eyes said it
all. I was happy to see Robin, Lucy, and all those wonderful actors, that
had great memories about Lila. The main actors/actresses should get Emmys
for their wonderful performance, if it was a performance, I saw sincere
love and affection for this wonderful and beautiful lady. Jason just broke
my heart, when he stood up in front of Lila's photo at the memorial, clips
of long ago, when Edward sang with Lila, Monica on the side, and Edward
again singing to Lila not too long ago. By the way our new Edward, is a
great actor, missed Edward though, the first and second. I know David
Lewis passed.
I wonder if is not too much to ask, if they could bring back another
Memorial with more actors/actresses from the past and present, A. J.,
Reginald (Lila's assistant), Audry, Luke, Laura, and her mom, Scotty, Sean
Donely, Robert Scorpio, Frisco Jones, Anna Lavery, Emma Samms, and even
Demi Morre, (which I doubt) but never say never., or maybe they were not
even asked to attend. A.J. and Reginald are very important. Audry should
have been there, please don't tell me that she was fired too.
We should share funniest lines from Lila, as on the Soap Opera Digest
mentions when Alan, presumed dead, dressed in drag to get out of town. The
funniest line that came out of Lila, Alan came out in a red dress, high
heels, wig and make up, Lila said. "Alan, if you had a problem, you could
have talked to me." Lila was so funny sometimes, had a great sense of
humor, I imagine.
Mercy
Hi,
I just wanted to say thank you for your Website. I had
stopped watching GH during the past few years. Lila
was one of my favorite characters. I thought that she
was one of the best characters on GH. Everyone always
listened to Lila, in any and all family disputes. I
didn't even know that ABC had not renewed Anna Lee's
contract or that Wendy Riche had left the show. I knew
that they had replaced John Ingle, with a new person.
Both the character and the actress seemed to be
decent, elegant, people in the old fashioned sense.
Thank you,
Beth (a GH fan)
I would like to express my sincere sympathy on the passing of Ms. Anna
Lee.
I have been a fan of General Hospital since 1970 when I was entering the
6th
grade. "LILA & EDWARD" was what made General Hospital. The show will
continue
but it won't be the same without Lila running the Quackie Quartermane's.
They are a one of a kind family. Ms. Lee was a very stylish lady and a
very
liked person as well as actress. I am sure that her many friends as well
as
family will miss her as much as her fans.
With Sympathy..........Ginny from Texas
I have been watching General Hospital for years. I was saddened not only
with her death but in the fact that over the last few years General
Hospital just didn't seem to know what to do with her. They were too
interested in the mob killings and destruction of peoples lives instead of
realizing that people still do want to see the goodness that is left in
this world. Anna ( Lila) exemplified goodness. I am interested in
finding out at the very least the words of the song that Brook Lynn sang
at the memorial service. It was the first one sang-not the montage. If
anyone can find out if it is available or if you know the song I would be
happy to receive it. I think little Michael this week summed Lilas life
so eloquently when he said that she was the old lady in the wheel chair.
Yes she was that and MUCH MUCH more.
Judy
Waukesha WI.
I have watched General Hospital since the 70's and always loved Anna
Lee. She made me laugh every time she put someone in their place,
especially Edward. How do you ever recover the loss of such a wonderful
actress on a show. She brought such grace to the show and I know she
loved each and everyone of her castmates. I watched the memorial on TV
and cried through the whole thing. The people who had the pleasure of
working with her are truly blessed. You can tell from seeing her on the
show what a remarkable person she was in real life. I know her family
enjoyed and loved her very much.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Anna Lee will be
remembered by all of us who did not have the pleasure to see her beyond
General Hospital.
Mary Duross
Abington, PA
Hi, I was very taken with the song that was sung at Anna Lee's memorial
on GH. The song that Brooklyn sung. Do you know where that came from, or
where I might get the lyrics or name of the song? Anna Lee will be
missed, I have been watching sense I was a little girl. I loved her
dearly as I am sure many did. She will be forever alive in our heart.
Thank you.
Marci
To whom it may concern,
I want to say I am sad for the loss of Anna Lee. She will be missed a lot.
My condolences to the family and the General Hospital family. She was a
good
character to the show. I liked the story line you have done for the
character
Lila Quartermaine. I like the scenes with Jason, Edward, Alan, Monica and
Emily.
Lila Quartermaine's Funeral brought me to tears, I could see the pain and
loss of all these actors. Jason, Monica, Alan, Tracy, their eyes said it
all. I
was happy to see Robin, Lucy, and all those wonderful actors, that had
great
memories about Lila. The main actors/actresses should get Emmys for their
wonderful performance, if it was a performance, I saw sincere love and
affection for
this wonderful and beautiful lady. Jason just broke my heart, when he
stood
up in front of Lila's photo at the memorial, clips of long ago, when
Edward
sang with Lila, Monica on the side, and Edward again singing to Lila not
too long
ago. By the way our new Edward, is a great actor, missed Edward though,
the
first and second. I know David Lewis passed.
Tracy
I HAVE BEEN WATCHING GH FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS AND NEVER HAVE I WITNESSED
SUCH A MOTHER/SON RELATIONSHIP LIKE THE ONE THAT ANNA LEE AND STUART DAMON
HAD. I WILL MISS THE CLOSENESS THEY SHARED. MY SYMPATHIES TO ANNA'S REAL
FAMILY AND HER GH FAMILY AS WELL, I LOVE YOU ALL .
MICHELE
I have watched General Hospitial since my early teens...Of all the
characters that inspired me, Anna Lee aka Lila Quartermaine brought grace,
style, and wisdom.
In a world where morals are not always at the top of the list, she showed
viewers that is was "cool" to be of good character. We shall miss you
terribly...our heartfelt sympathy goes to her family and friends.
Ginger L. Johnson
and Family
Anna Lee was a truly angelic beauty and elegant spirit! I have enjoyed her
portrayal of Lila for decades. I hope I am as lucky to have work I enjoy
and
love and support of family and friends. And I do hope that ABC will
rethink their
policy on how they treat beloved actors like Miss Lee. Those exec's will
too
soon be in an older age bracket..... they will get theirs.
To Miss Lee's family God Bless
Brie
I wanted to say/post that I am very sorry to Anna Lee's family for her
passing. It is a very sad moment and she will be greatly missed by all her
fans. She was a great tribute to GH for many years. We will always
remember her in our memories. She is now at peace with God and He will
watch dearly over her. May God Bless her family. I sympathize with your
loss.
Love,
Adrianna
I watched "General Hospital" for years. Anna Lee was a genuine sweet
person who will be missed by her fans. She reminded me of my own mother.
There are not enough gems in this world of ours, but she was one. She had
kindness from the heart and she understood people. I know that where she
is, that she can now walk. I am thankful for her acting on "General
Hospital". It will not be the same without her love.
Karen-
I would like to say that was
very very sad and sorry to hear of Anna's passing and of the terrible way
that she was used by the tv channel. I had watched her in all the movies I
could and loved her in the soap part she played. I will miss her so much.
I think she was so beautiful in every way, and consider her the BEST in
all and each of her wonderful parts ,movies and the soap as Lila. To her
Son and children left, I say always be glad and Proud you had her so long.
I lost my Mother in 1990 at the age of 94 and miss her more than I can
say, I even have to say I got mad at her for leaving me and at first I
just could not believe she had gone and found my self calling her on the
phone untill I finally got it in my heart she was gone and I still Get
upset she is not here to answere ? I need answeres for. I am 79 years and
still can't believe I have reached this age for unlike my Mom I am not as
strong as she was and get mad when things are hard to do.I have Arthritis
etc and I think of my MOM and keep going. To all the family and friends my
heart goes out to you and will always remember Anna Lee. Evelyn
I remain someone who cares.
In 1984, having just moved to Los Angeles and having long had Robert
Nathan's address, I found his telephone listing and called, only to
learn
that he was confined to his bed. I was and am a devoted Nathan fan and
had
hoped to meet him. The housemaid invited me to call back and speak
with--Anna Lee! When I called again, she welcomed me to her house--very
much
like an English cottage--in the hills above Sunset Boulevard.
Had I been an Anna Lee fan--and I am embarrassed to say that I had not
as
yet attained to that truly privileged status--I am sure she would have
dealt
with me in her typically gracious way but would also have been, very
understandably, unavailable for personal visits. Instead, she was
extraordinarily available, outgoing, and helpful in what became my
Robert
Nathan research. This generosity, I am sure, derived from her devotion
to
her husband's memory. There was, as everyone knows who knew her, no
self-importance in this lady, and my rather single-minded interest in
her
late husband and his work did not at all put her off; on the contrary,
ahe
aided and abetted it.
Anna immediately became interested in my long-time quest of a complete
Nathan library. She was continually coming across a book or other
article
that she feared I didn't have and would call to ask. If I hadn't it, and
she
had a duplicate, I was invited to come and pick it up. This and its like
became the occasion of my getting to know her--and, by degrees, about
her.
For only one thing, a daytime job precluded my watching General
Hospital.
Our friendship grew. I regularly reported on the progress with my Robert
Nathan researches and had the continued privilege of paying visits to
Anna,
having her telephone calls, helping her with fanmail, and being invited
to
very proper and elegant British teatimes. My wife and I were guests for
this, as we were for previewing an Academy-Award-nominated film with her
(Anna was on the polled jury) and for the filming of a sequence of
General
Hospital at the ABC studios. We had also been her invited to her grand
Star
Walk occasion and its lovely aftermath at the Roosevelt Hotel, where
guests
included such Anna Lee fans as Cesar Romero, Turhan Bey, and Mel
Torme--to
name but three. None of any of this was "deserved" if the criterion be
devotion to the actress. My "devotion" had already been born and was
growing, but Anna knew and cared nothing about that. I was her husband's
fan, in her eyes, and that was explanation enough for all her
thoughtfulness
and generosity.
After the fire that destroyed the "cottage," Anna arranged to have such
books of her library as were saved, but that were nonetheless badly
water-
and smoke-damaged, restored to the best possible condition. Thus began
another phase of our occasions together, as I would be summoned from time
to
time to the perfect replacement version of the lost cottage in order to
help
her in her own library research and ordering of the books. She was still
wonderfully concerned about what I hadn't yet found on the second-hand
book
market and would call me out of the blue to ask if I had such-and-such a
title: she had found a second copy. But fortunately it was not always
that
one-sided with the books. She could also find herself without a given
title,
and I would first offer, gallantly (but a little reluctantly; yet with
her,
gallantry always prevailed because her lady's gentility simply compelled
it), my own copy; then, this being declined, I would scout a copy for
her.
The age of the internet and on-line book searches had mercifully
arrived!
Anna was herself a voracious reader, and of very creditable literature,
and
this must account in part for her kind attitude toward my own interests
and
efforts, to which she continued to lend her increasingly frail energies
(for
which she somewhat compensated, until the last months, by her
extraordinary
ability to negotiate all the close angles and corners of her house--in
addition to the sheer ponderousness of her mastiff-like dog--in the
motorized wheelchair that she used; her later pet dog was vastly
smaller,
you may be sure).
By this later time she was working, as strength allowed, on her
autobiography. This must lie incomplete, as was Robert Nathan's own,
which
she let me photocopy--a wonderfully providential thing, because the
original
was lost in the house fire. Imagine her relief at recalling that I had a
copy! I quickly duplicated it and delivered it in person, always
delighted
to have yet another excuse to visit her. Occasionally, one of her
Nathan-related items would go missing, and I would be asked to make a
photocopy of my photocopied-version; so help came round to the one whose
generosity had made it all possible in the first place.
I shall not write about her personality. Everything possible has been
said;
and yet, of course, it is really impossible to put in mere words the
consummate beauty--physical, mental, and (if the word has any meaning at
all) spiritual--of this great lady. I have written only to share with
other
admirers some memories that constitute a relatively unimportant part of
her
life but that catch, in some ways, its nuances. I am deeply, deeply
grateful
for my privilege in knowing Anna Lee "up close."
Arthur V.
I literally grew up watching Anna Lee on GH and I was so sad to hear of
her passing. I was born the year after Anna's debut on GH and used to
watch GH with my grandmother every afternoon throught my childhood and
teen years. Anna's character Lila was somewhat of a grandmother figure to
me. My grandmother passed away in 2000 and I miss her so much, but
every time I would sit down to watch GH and I would see Lila it would
remind me of those afternoons with my grandmother. She loved Anna's grace,
dignity, beauty, and wit. She had such a sparkle in her eyes. I know
without a doubt that she has a gone on to a better place. I want her
family to know what she meant to me, and my grandmother, and how much joy
and inspiration she brought us. Peace to you dear Anna.
Love,
Amy
