News_Editor Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Barbara Billingsley, 'Beaver's' Mom, dead at 94 2010-10-17 04:56:32 GMT+7 (ICT) SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA (BNO NEWS) -- Barbara Billingsley, best known for the role as "June Cleaver" on the popular 50s sit-com 'Leave It To Beaver', died at her California home on Saturday. She was 94. Family spokeswoman Judy Twersky said Billingsley died at her home in Santa Monica on Saturday after a long illness, but gave no other details about her passing. She had been suffering from rheumatoid disease. Glenn Billingsley, Barbara's first husband, said he was proud of her ex wife. "Our mom was truly the best mother," he said. "She was every bit as nurturing, classy, and lovely as 'June Cleaver' and we were so proud to share her with the world." Tony Dow, who played Wally Cleaver on 'Leave It To Beaver', said America's 'favorite mother' is now gone. "I feel very fortunate to have been her 'son' for 11 years," he said. "We were wonderful friends and I will miss her very much. My deepest sympathies to her sons, Glenn and Drew, and her entire family." Billingsley was born on December 22, 1915 in Los Angeles and began her career as a model in New York City in 1936. She was under contract to MGM in 1945 before becoming a household name with the launch of 'Leave It To Beaver' in 1957. She was married to Glenn Billingsley, of whom she had two children, from 1940 to 1946. Her second husband Roy Kellino died of a heart attack in 1956 after a few years of marriage since 1958. Billingsley was also married to Dr. William Mortensen from 1959 until his death in 1981. She is survived by her two sons, Drew Billingsley of Granada Hills and Glenn Billingsley of Phillips Ranch. She was pre-deceased by her sister Betty McLaughlin of Rancho Palos Verdes. A private memorial in Santa Monica is being planned. -- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-10-17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses G. Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 How are Ward and the Beave? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Time does march on. I grew up with that show. Very sad to hear of her passing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelepulse Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 94 is a nice long productive life. Funny how the show had the first adult comment " Ward, I think you were too hard on the Beaver last night". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_mack Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Nothings changed, The ''Beaver still Rules'' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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