Annette Funicello
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She was the only one of the Disney child star troupe to be hand picked by him -- and was about the earliest crush of my childhood.
She was born in Utica, New york to Joseph and Virginia Funicello.
They provided her with dancing and music lessons in an effort to assist her with childhood shyness. They moved to Southern California when she was four years old.
I think my enamor began about the first time I heard her sing "How Will I Know My Love" -- which was released on single ... but I only heard it on television.
She had a lot of Disney serials and beach film/musicals in her repertoire and did commercials as well but I always remembered her with those mouse ears, the name on her blouse, and that smile.
She announced that she suffers from multiple sclerosis in 1992 after attempts to keep her condition secret became misconstrued as the effects of alcoholism.
In 1993 she was inducted as a 'Disney Legend'.
On April 8, 2013, she died at age 70, from the sequela of the MS from which she suffered greatly with which she contended with dignity and determination.
I have loved her all these years from my early childhood until now.
Happy Birthday in heaven Annette Funicello !