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Saturday, March 25, 2006

Jeanne Cagney - Remembering a Star

Today is Mrs. Morrison's Birthday.
Recently someone wrote to me asking about her and how I knew her. After I wrote back, I decided on her birthday I would re-tell the story that I had previously only told to him.

She was one of my girlfriend's mother.
We both lived in Athens, Ohio during the time. But I actually didn't meet her until sometime later here in Southern California.

She was living in Newport Beach at the time. I had talked to her a couple of times briefly at the house when I would go over, but you don't usually engage your friend's parents in conversation, you know?

Many years later, after I had lost touch with my girlfriend, I went to a women's luncheon and Mrs. Morrison was the guest speaker. I went up to her, to say hi, and she took me aside and sat with me awhile. She was so nice and talked to me like an old friend. I will never forget how gracious she was towards me. She said you don't know this, but the reason I am speaking today is because I have cancer. She went on to say, I wanted to tell you privately before you heard me speak. I didn't want for you to be shocked or upset. She said she was in remission and feeling much better and was there to speak of her ordeal and to give others hope and to speak of her faith in God.

Then even in her speech, she stopped and introduced me. She made me feel as if I were special. That was the last time I saw her. I cried the day I read the news of her death. Privately. Like a friend had passed. No one even knew I knew her, as I did.

Aside from being the sister of James Cagney, she was a star in her own right. You can out more about her film career here: IMDb

She was beautiful, charming and gracious.

Birth: Mar. 25, 1919
Death: Dec. 7, 1984

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks Vic for sharing!!

Victoria said...

Thanks guys for your comments and stopping by.
:O)

katiedid said...

Thank you for sharing that V - I got a lump in my throat reading it. What a lovely remebrance of her.

Anonymous said...

Vic, what a lovely tribute, so touching. Thank you for sharing.

Victoria said...

Thanks for stopping by and reading my little tribute, I appreciate it.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your memories of Jeanne Cagney Morrison. She must have been as radiant in real life as she was on the screen, and off screen a private person. I just found out that the girlfriend you spoke of was her daughter Mary Anne. And, yes, I have a biography of her brother James.

Victoria said...

Hi, yes that is correct. You are a good detective! Thanks for stopping by, it's nice that people still care and remember.

Anonymous said...

Good story, Vic and thanks for sharing. I have just been watching her steal all her scenes in Quicksand. A fine actress from an amazing family....

JaneAnn Laird said...

Wonderful story. Thank you for sharing. Whatever happened to her husband and children?

Anonymous said...

Did your friend have a brother? If so, did you know him?

Anonymous said...

was wondering what high school she graduated and the year

Murray said...

A great story. And just watched her in quicksand last nite and. Then read. Your story on her she was. Lovely. Thank you. Victoria from Murray