Betty White — She Will Live On In Our Memories

Posted on by under History, Personal, Social commentary, Tributes

I am not into ‘celebrities’ and following the private lives of actors, musicians, athletes and the like.  But yesterday, the death of one celebrity brought me to tears.  That celebrity was, of course, Betty White who died on Friday just 18 days short of celebrating her 100th birthday.

Ms. White, in the words of former First Lady Michelle Obama …

“… broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world.”

She had a long career, playing in so many different television shows that I cannot count them all, but throughout her career she has cared about people and issues.  Take, for example, her first televised variety show where, in 1954, as the host and producer, she defied racist demands to get rid of a scheduled guest, Arthur Duncan, because he was Black.  Duncan, at 21, had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break.  Betty White gave it to him, and to the naysayers she simply said, “Live with it.”

A funny story in my own family about Betty White … one day my granddaughter, who was then about 4 or 5 years old, saw Betty White on television and excitedly declared, “Grannie … there’s the Queen of England!!!”  Needless to say, this became a family joke that is still laughed about today, and I imagine Betty would have taken some pleasure from the mix-up had she known.

R.I.P. Betty White … you gave so much to us and you will be missed.

In 1969 with talk show host David Letterman

With husband, game-show host Allen Ludden who died in 1981.

Betty as Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls, the role for which she is best remembered, shown here with co-stars Rue McClanahan and Bea Arthur.

In 2010, Betty receives the Screen Actor’s Guild’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’

On her 90th birthday

With President Obama in 2012

Betty White in 2021 … she still has that winning smile and twinkle in her eyes.

37 thoughts on “Betty White — She Will Live On In Our Memories”

  1. Pingback: Betty White — She Will Live On In Our Memories – Nelsapy

  2. Pingback: Betty White — She Will Live On In Our Memories – Jackanori, (MPD)

  3. Such class. Such humor and authenticity. She will always be one of my heroes. The Golden Girls are together again. I’m concerned for my other hero, Shirley MacLaine. Happy new week Jill.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I actually started crying when I found out. I really wanted her to make it to 100. I loved her. She was so REAL.
    I loved all her roles but I think I loved her best as SueAnn Nivens in the Mary Tyler Moore show. That bedroom of hers! OMG I’ll never forget it!

    She was the absolute BEST.

    Liked by 1 person

    • So did I, my friend. I don’t remember her well as Sue Ann Nivens, as I rarely saw the MTM show, but I remember her best as Rose on Golden Girls and I did love her in that role. Along with the way she lived her personal life, her love of animals … a wonderful woman!

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  11. She was also a very attractive women in all stages of her life. I was looking at pictures of her in her youth and she was stunning, and she stayed beautiful as she aged. I guess her beauty was from the inside and it shown out no matter her age. Scottie

    Liked by 2 people

    • Indeed she was, and like you, I’ve been looking at the pictures … she aged gracefully, as they say, and was as much a beautiful woman at 99 as at 29! As you said, her beauty was from the inside and it showed! Hugs, my dear friend!

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  12. Pingback: Betty White – She Will Live On in Our Memories. | Ramblings of an Occupy Liberal

  13. Please forgive my intrusion in and addition to your lovely tribute to the inimitable Betty White. I quote Betty’s own words spoken in a 1990 interview with the Chicago Sun Times : “Being remembered for Rose and Sue Ann and the others would be wonderful, but I also want to be remembered as a lady who helped the animals.” Animal welfare was a lifelong love and priority. Might I suggest “Betty & Friends : My Life at the Zoo” which was published in 2011. Of all her books, and I doubt that there are any that I have not read, this is a special treasure. Might I be so bold as to suggest that making a donation to the “Betty White Wildlife Fund” would be a marvelous tribute to an amazing life. WHAK!! Thank-you!

    Liked by 4 people

    • Ahhhh yes … and I wish I had included that in my post, but frankly I forgot, even though I saw pictures of her playing with the Obama’s furry family member! I will definitely check out the book you suggested! Surely a donation to the “Betty White Wildlife Fund” would be money well-spent and it has been added to my list for this year! WHAK!!!

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