Annette's Brave Last Days
TRAGIC Annette Funicello is losing her courageous fight against multiple sclerosis, friends tell GLOBE. In a heartbreaking exclusive featuring all new photos, pals reveal the sad last days of America's favorite Mouseketeer, who is now confined to a wheelchair and has lost the ability to speak.
I really hate to see her like this. As a fellow MS gal, along with mom, cousins, and others in the family, about 13 in all....We wish Ms. Funicello warm wishes and she is in our prayers. She is just as beautiful today as she was in her younger days.
Yes lots of good M I C K E Y M O U S E , memories Ms Annette Funicello You stand out from the rest. You were my favorite.
Annett,
So sorry. You gave us such joy and happiness with your beauty and innocence. May God Bless you.
Bill and Mary
My mother has ms and lost her ability to speak three years ago. she is still cognitive. She just lost the ability to open her right eye. She has had ms since she was 42 she is now 78. I hope someday a cure will be found. Our prays are with you and your family
Annette,
I am so sorry to hear of your MS taking over the way it has. I also have MS, have had it for alittle over 8 years now. It is progressive & i am in a wheelchair now but still able (with God's help) to walk a couple of steps then my legs give out so i am better off staying in the chair. I think about where i will be next year or even next week because i'm so very scared. But then when i read your stories & see how couragious you are i thank my God that i am still seeing, breathing, talking, hearing the birds sing & smelling the roses in my garden.
Anette, i will always keep praying for you and all the thousands of people like us that we can live out our days with dignity. Thank you for so many years of inspiration and hope. God Bless you Annette, God Bless YOU!!!
Barbara from Florida.
Dearest,
I'll be 65 and have watched you for many years and your great. I hope you are comfortable because you deserve it. I and your fans wish you the best and God Bless
i know what she is going through my wife has the same thing and she is in a nurshing home she cant write or walk i hope we can find a cure for this rotten dease in our time it worse then canser GOD bless you love always paul
I love you dearly , I was all your Movies & Mouseketeer shows . I am Praying that Jesus be w/ Now & Always . God Bless you always, Annette !!!!
An Old Friend,
Ms. Juanita Garcia-Meyer
To Ms. Annette Funicello
I'm African American Female.I grew up 1950's.U&the Mouseketeer were the high light of me & sibble's day. Could not wait to off from school, to watch the Mickey Mouse Club.God Bless U & May God Keep U.
How sad, Annette was/is a lovely Lady and will surely be missed. Bless her and her family @ such a difficult time. I pray she isn't suffering too much.
I'm so sorry to hear about Annette.
She was my favorite Mouseketeer. I think we are about the same age. I wanted to be her when I was a kid.
I know she must have been suffering badly for all of these years. I guess at last she will find peace and relief from the MS.
I wish her well.
I was diagnosed with MS the same day Annette went public with her MS in '92. My heart goes out to her at this time hope the MS I have does not treat me as badly as hers has. Much love to Annette.
my heart and prayers go out to Annette's family. My dad passed away 29 years ago from ALS which is a form of ms and md..i know all the suffering she and her family has gone through..my prayers are with all of them.
I am so sorry to hear about one of favorite Mouseketeer's .. Annette. I pray that she goes in peace and that she knows we will all miss her.
Dear Annette-We I was a kid, I suggested that my neighbors and I form our own Micky Mouse Club. I had short curly hair like you, so I was renamed Annette. We made mouse ears and had a wonderful, wholesome time. My little brother and I, (ages 4and 9) also pretended to be Cubby and Annette. We had been fighting with each other as children do, and the Muskateers were such good role models that it occured to me that if we pretended to be them, we would get along. As I remember, from that day forward, we never argued again!!! I thank you for the wonderful. innocent models you gave millions of children. I am so sorry that you have struggled with this awful disease for all of these years, and hope that you have been able to transcend your physical limitations and soar, spiritually.
Annette was always my favorite Mouseketeer and I loved her in all the Beach movies. It is not fair that she had to suffer like this especially being so young when it started. They always said she was from my hometown New Hartford, NY. God Bless her. I love you!!!!!
I am so sorry for Annette....As a child she was always one of my favorite people...I wish you only the best, and hope you can be at peace.
How could i forget that when you on disney you are the best Please get well god will always watches us
Gorwing up I watched the Mouseketeers all the time for years and all of her movies too. AS a little girl I wished to be like her. God Bless her and God Speed. Pray she is in no pain.
Dear Annette
I have loved you since the mid 1050s. You were a beautiful star amonghst starts. I have prayed for you many time since you got MS. You will remain in my my and soul forever. Love Ron
God Bless Her. She has been such a sign of strength! A beautiful person, inside and out. The world looses another shinning star!
Thanks for all the wonderful memories you have given us.
Watch her everyday as a Mouseketeer, and those famous Beach Blanket movies that so many of us grew up on. We Love you Annette....
As a kid,watching the beach movies I always thought Frankie and Annette would end up married in real life.I think Annette has alot of class and always did.I wish her well and my prayers go out to her and her family,I too love you,and thought how lucky Frankie was to have the nicest girl on the beach.God Bless and watch over you,
Sincerely,
James E. Yurek
Dear Annette,
Not only are you America's sweetheart by you have held a special place in my heart since I first saw you on the Mickey Mouse Club. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Your friend,
Tim Taylor
I pray for Annette,always and smile when i think of the mouseketers with her and the pleasure she has given me --and those beachmoviestoo!! wonderful memories of her God Bless you, Annette
Annette,
You were my secret love as I was growing up seeing you on Micky Mouse TV Show.
People my age 63 will always remember you.
I'm sure God has a plan for you when you go too heaven because your one of his Angles
I don't know if you will get this but I will pray for you and hope that you have some sense of peace in your life. You have give us many moments of happiness and now we want to give back to you. Annette Funicello is a name that no one will ever forget.
I love watching the movies that her and Frankie made together she has always been my favorite actress and love her dearly. I lost a dear friend to MS and it is gut wrenching to watch them suffer it is a horrible diease. I love you Annette thank you for your great prescence in our lives we have all been touched by you.
Loving thoughts are sent to Annette who brought so much joy to us all during the early Mickey Mouse days. Loved the Spin and Marty series as well as all the beach movies with Frankie Avalon. My father had MS and my sister has it now, so I know the devistating struggles this horrible disease brings with it. May God keep you in his care, Annette. And please know how much you mean to so many!
Annette, go peacefully with the knowledge you did nothing but make everyone smile who met you or knew of you. I am as sure as I breathe that you'll rest a while but then you'll return to us. Angels always do.
I have watched her as she was the mouse kid to the beach movies, such a nice woman. When she goes she will be sadly missed
As many I grew up watching Annette on the Mouseketeers and later in all those wonderfully fun Movies with Frankie and the crew. I was fortunate to actually meet Annette, she was married briefly to a distant cousin. They attended my great grandfather's funeral in Chicago and I have to say She was amazing. There was nothing HOLLYWOOD about her, completely down to earth. She made it known that she was here as family and nothing was to interfer with that. Annette you have touched so many people not only thru acting and music but with your heart.
To Annette's children, I am sure you know what a wonderful mother you have... keep those memories for that is what keeps you going. To Annette's husband, your a wonderful man, you help her thru some very rough times. You share a love with Annette that no matter what will live on forever. And finally to Annette, thank you for being you.. for putting smiles on millions of faces. Please know that you Annette are in the hearts of millions.. Remember "A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES"...
God speed, Annette. You were my favrite on the Mickey Mouse Club. I wanted to be you! Well, I do have multiple sclerosis which was diagnosed when I was 30. MS is fickle and unpredictable. I have remitting-relapsing MS and am lucky enough to be taking Copaxone injections. What can we do? These are the cards we've been dealt....so...we play out our hand with as much dignity as possible.
Jane Matn
i am sadden and heart broken to hear about Annette, i grow up with the mouseketeers in the 50's and loved her with all my heart.
She was Disney's first super star,at least she was to me.I havn't seen her in decades.I loved her as a child and still do.
We love you Annette and we will always remember the wonder of, "The Mickey Mouse Club" and all the joy you brought to our lives.
Thank you so much for such wonderful memories.
God Bless you.
Catherine
So sad...such a nice and talented woman that brought so much joy to chldren for many years....Annette..you shall be missed dearly
Annette you will always be loved and remembered as my very favorite beautiful actress. I pray for peace for you and for your family. Thank you for the wonderful memories. God Bless you and your family.
I have so many fond memories of Annette. I will miss her. I've watched her from the Mouseketeers to her beach movies. So beautiful!
It is difficult to understand why this is allowed, this MS teaches the victim tremendous humility. Be right with Jesus, Annette. You may go on for more years.
Hold on to your faith. The Lord will wipe away all your tears. My wife suffered, as you, for many years and her faith carried her through.
ALL MY LOVE DEAR ANNETTE. I APPRECIATE ALL THE FINE MEMORIES YOU HAVE MADE FOR ME IN ALL THE ACTING AND SHOWES YOU DID. I HOPE AND PRAY FOR YOU MY DEAR AND ALL YOUR FINE FAMILY! VERNON
You are an inspiration - you have shown streanth - you've had love and support - you are in our hearts - God Bless
Cherryle
I myself have had MS for 12 years. I feelso sorry for her loosing her speach and movement abilities. god bless her, as as many found her to be our fantasy girlfriend, as she will always be.
I wish her the best as things progress.
This a perfect example of why assisted suicide should be legal. After being an active and success ful individual, to lose all one's abilities including speech is to become a prisoner within one's own body. Such a tragedy. No one should be doomed to such a life. Death if chosen is the only freedom.
Annette's Funicello is in my pray.She wonderful singing great actress. Ilike on mickey mouse cub and movies she made with star. It was wonderful she new diseny man that the park. I know she getting worse with sickness she should still fight life . She great person in are heart.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Annette Your fans will forever love you and your music and your acting you are an American Sweetheart.
She was my Hero, spent a lot of money buying mags. with her picture. Take a bus trip to N.Y. to see her on Band Stand. Loved her and amy so sad about her life and the bad stuff that happened to her.
I made a "promise" to myself, after learning that I had MS, that as long as Annette is around fighting this horrible disease, that I also will stick around and FIGHT! After 29 years (my having MS), and Annette leaving me, my fight is fading away also!
I pray for Annette. I remember her as a mousekateer dancing and singing. Her beach movies with Frankie Avalon were great teenage movies. I hope all her fans remember her and pray for her. She gave us a lot of good memories.
My prayers go out to her and her family. She has always been a wonderful woman with great spirit. When I was a child I was told that she was my third or fourth cousin. I wish her well.
Even though the Micky Mouse club was about 15 years before my time, I use to watch it on TV... Annette Funicello was my first crush!!!
To Annette:
You have been a wonderful little girl, lady and woman. I met you in Nashville, TN back in the 1980's. You came into the store of Mel Tillis's and I talked to you and sent you some shirts. Mayb God bless you and keep you.
Annette was very much a part of my childhood. "M-I-C-K-E-Y, M-O-U-S-E".i used to watch the Mickey Mouse Club every afternoon. I could not afford to join the club, but i was a mouseketeer in spirit. God Bless You, Annette! May The Lord be with you always..
MAT
She was one of the greats, and she could laugh at herself. I think my kids and I watched Back to the Beach a hundred times on car trips. She is special and will always be remembered
Annette will be missed very much, I remember watching the program for years, and loved it, she was always so cute, my favorite on the show,you'll never be forgotten, still a beautiful lady..always your fan forever
I can not say enough of what a GREAT person and how much happiness you brought to many lives____ You are a TRUE Mouseketeer___ I am sure Walt is looking out for you___ Best Wishes___Sue
I used to watch the mickey mouse club when annete was in it along with jimmy todd and the gang, also i liked her in beach blanket bingo. i feel so sorry that this illness is taking her life. i hope before she dies someone talks to her about salvation from the lord for her soul. it is a free gift from the lord that will save her and she will be able to spend eternity with him... lord be with you annette.
I just want you to know Annette I grew up with you when you were in the Mouseketeers and you with Paul Anka and what a inspiration you are for every woman out there. Your beautiful,sweet and love and prayers go out to you. I'm 62 years old and never missed one movie or mouseketeer show you were in. Love to you and your family.
Annette Funicello - we are with you in your struggle and tribulations. My son also suffers from MS and fights the courageous battle. We love you - your Guardian Angel is always by your side.
Annette,
You have given all of us great joy ,And we will all miss you ,But you will be at peace .,A very well deserved peace with alot of freinds ,And with God, You will always be a Angel Smiling Down on all of us ,So let go. and we will all see you soon.
With great compassion,And a great Thank You For giving us all alot of joy.
XO Agostino
I have had two friends that died of M.S. It is such a terrible way to go. My prayers are with her and her family. God be with all of you.
Annette was truely a perfect role model for millons of young girls. I'd give anything if the young stars of today would follow her example, instead of going the way Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus headed. She never lost her values, and inspired many young people. I hope she's able to know that. We have her, and her family in our prayers. God bless you Anette.
I grew up with the Muskateer Club and Annette. It saddens me to hear of her losing battle and I pray for her and her family. She's a living legend and has always shown us what real star qualities are.
I remember Annet`s in the 50`s, and she was, and still is my faveret sweet heart. God bless my Dear.
Annette Funicello has always been a lovely woman, encouraging others to remain optimistic, and having given so much to so many Americans and persons all over the world. Thank you.
Annette was the girl that everyone who is now in their 60 wanted to be. To look like her have her hair cut like her. God Bless her she was to me a big part of my childhood. Mickey Mouse Club was Annette.
she was and always be my favorite mouseketeer....i have good memories from the mouseketeer club...and the beach movies with Frankie Avalon... thank you annette for the memories....may god bless you now and always
I am so sorry to learn this. Yes, I rememeber her movies well. I hope she had a good life and family. God Bless her.
I remember as a kid the thrill of watching the Mouseketeer Show...
In my mind Annette Funicello will forever be young...So sorry to hear she is losing her fight with MS...I pray she is ready to meet our LORD... Barbara
growing up Annette was my role model and I always admired her. Please if possible let her know my prayers are always with her.
I have always loved Annette & it's heartrending that something so terrible has happened to someone who has been such a wonderful, giving person. God Bless you, Annette!
i am sorry annette is not well, remember fondly, i was told many times in my youth that i resembled her..great compliment; my best hopes and wishes to her; a fan
I have M.S. so I know some what she is going through.I wish her all the Love and Luck in the world. Just keep a great out look on life and live it to it fullest...
I'm so terribly sorry for Ms.Funicello and her dear family, I don't really know what it's like for her everyday, but, I admire her strength and courage. I offer my heartfelt prayers to her, and also for anyone else who suffers from this terrible disease. Sometimes life isn't very fair, the only one who truly knows why these things come to pass is the Good Lord, maybe she is a living angel sent to help other who have this disease find hope and strength by seeing hers.
She is such a beautiful soul. It hurts to think of her suffering. May the Lord comfort her and give her peace.
I grew up with all the mouseketeer's. it was a way of life. You made our lives beautiful in a way that I can't descibe. We will always love you and I will keep you in my prayers every day. You will always be a beauty in my book, Love ya!
Prayers for Annette. She has provided so much fun and joy for me through her songs and in particular, her Beach Party movies of which I am a big fan.
Until Ms.Funnicello disclosed that she had MS, I had never heard of the disease. When I was diagnosed with MS in 2007 one of the thoughts that ran through my mind was her and her story.
MS is a disease I would not wish on an enemy. I know believe in assisted suicide and the right to die with diginity. I will pray for you and all of us out there living with MS.
As a young boy in the 1950's Annette was my favorite Mouseketeer and my first "puppy" love. Now at age 63 that love for her still continues. God bless a wonderful Lady.
Annette
i am a fan of the mickey mouse club from years ago.your was my favorite star.I named my daughter after you.her name is annette and i love that name.what you are going though and been though my sister had been though.so my god be with you.I loved all your movies also.I have check many times to keep up with you but this is the first time writting to you so i hope you get this.i will miss you
God Biss You
My prayers are with Annette, my bestfriend Charlene found out she had the same ilness. i got my name from the Mickey Mouse club, my dad chnaged the way you spell it. I know she will be a beatiful angel when her time comes.
I watched the Mickey Mouse Club and Beach Blanket Bingo. I was a 60's kid. I also watched re-runs with my daughter on TV Land. I remember when you were diagnosed. It was so heartbreaking. Innocence as innocence should be, you will be dearly missed. My only regret for the world is that the younger generations did not have the chance to view a wholesome TV. experience.
I'm still praying for Annette's recovery, as God can always intervene with sincere prayers. I pray for healing, for Annette. lol to Annette, and her family.
You were my first love. When the Mickey Mouse Club would come on TV you would take my breath away, and at night I would dream about taking you to a teen dance at the Y. Bless your beautiful heart.
Annette- I truly hate hearing of her condition... I was born in 1974 and was named after you, Annette, and in 1996 I too was diagnosed with MS. I think and pray for you, us often. Hang in there and do your best to keep your chin UP!
I named my daughter after you, sweet and dear Annette! I pray that our dear Lord and our Blessed Mother carry you and comfort you with their peace in these trying times. Praying for you and your family. I love you, Annette!
Cecilia R.
i remember Annette from Mickey Mouse/Spin and Marty and other Walt Disney productions.
If everyone has a miracle, you can have mine for all the happiness you gave me.
As Someone who also struggles daily with this MonSter (MS),I have always admired her grace and courage.Stay strong,you are and will ALWAYS Be BEAUTIFUL.
God bless you, dear friend. I feel like we are friends, since watching you all the time as a Mousketeer. You and your family are in our prayers.
Pat from Missouri
You are such a wonderful person. I enjoyed you on the Mouseketeers when I was growing up. I enjoyed all your movies. May God bless and grant you comfort in your last days. I will be forever greatful for seeing you on TV.
I have had MS for over 30 years. Any of my other cohorts out there, please read my dr's book "The MS Diet" by Roy L Swank + Barbara Brewer Dugan. I underwent fresh frozen plasma infusions (transfusions) for several years, and it changed from progressive to remitting. In Portland, OR there is still a clinic (I believe) that does this treatment. For some of us, it saved our lives. When I worked in Los Angeles at Warner Bros studios, I knew Annette and her then husband, Jack Gilardi, agent. She is a wonderful individual. Not pretentious or proud as many in the industry. Prayers for her are good. Thank you for thinking of her always. :0)
I was born 22 days before you were. I grew up with you. I have seen everything you have ever done. My wife is now in you're same position, about 10 years later than you. I know from a personel heartbreak that a person so young and beautiful as you and my wife. My heart goes out to you.
Please accept my prayers.
i still have hope for her as the last call should be on the stadge wishing us a happy farwell .may god find a cure for this and ger her on her feet again
I was wondering if Annette has ever heard about Shaklee and if she has try it or not and if not she shout get with a shaklee dealer and talk to one of them
I am one of her biggest fan hope she gets better and I will pray for her. Thanks for your time Jack
I grew up watching Annette in Mouskateers and in her movies. I think she was so nice , I hate to think of her having to suffer all these years. In revelation in the bible it speaks of a time when all this will be gone. revelation 21:3&4
Life is so unprodictable. You never know what can happen. Annette was so perfect in the way she lived and the way she loved to live. Now it is but a shadow of what she was. No one should think they are better then life itself because when life itself tags you for a fall it does not play.
Annette keep up the fight. You are an inspiration to all. You are my hero and the best part of my childhood. All my love and prayers are with you.We will always remember your wonderful smile and personality.
Happy Birthday, dear Annette. I have adored you since you were 12, and I was 7. I still have my Annette scrapbook, thousands of pictures I saved of you. You are always in my heart and prayers. You have added so much happiness to so many. God bless you greatly. Someday you will dance again.
Don't count Annette out just yet! I hate the way you trash magazines do this just to try and get ratings and sell your trash. You, should be ashamed of your self's. You, never think of the pain you, inflict on the family who hear about your trash.
Annette, My prayers are with you. I hope you are comfortable in your new chair. I just saw Beach Party the other day and I remember as a little girl going to see it. It sure brings back alot of memories. I love the song Beach Party Tonight and Treat Him Nicely. I will always love you and remember the good times watching you. God Bless
Iheard that they are in process of finding a cure for this terrible disease and hope that Annette can be the lucky one to partake in the trials which seem so promising,kate
Ms Annette Funicello, I grew up with you, seeing you everyday after school, you are the best and always will be in my heart. You are top in everything. God watches over you and only asigns what you can handle. Love Ya, Keep Strong.
Dear Sweet Annette, I am 60 years old, & watched you on TV for many years. I had such a crush on you, & you were the reason I watched the "Mickey Mouse Club". You were a great dancer, & singer. It deeply saddened me to hear of your illness. God bless you, & keep you in his loving arms.
Annette was always a favorite of mine growing up- She really was my idol and I identified with her because of my Italian background.
God be with her - I hope and pray for her.
Annette, So many people love you and are really going to miss you. So many are sadden to see such a wonderful person like you going threw this. I just lost my mother and she was such a fighter like you. She was 65 when she passed with a uncurable cancer tumor had 4 strokes at 53 few hip replacements, MS and she still kep going to the day she died. You andmy mother coudl have been sisters GOD BLESS YOU AND WE LOVE YOU!!!
