Actress June Allyson’s recent death brought back the memory of my 10th birthday in 1950 (“June Allyson; 1917-2006; Hollywood’s girl next door; Actress was `the girl every man wants to marry and the girl every woman wants as a friend,'” Obituaries, July 11).
My mother took me to downtown Chicago to Marshall Field’s to buy a Margaret O’Brien doll.
(Margaret O’Brien was then a very popular child movie star.)
I wanted this doll because Margaret had braids just like mine.
After buying the doll, which I clutched tightly in my arms, we went down to the main floor, because Mother wanted to browse in the jewelry department.
I felt like a princess in a palace.
I looked up from the jewels to see June Allyson and a friend browsing too.
We recognized her immediately, but froze in our spot.
June Allyson was very aware of our recognition, and walked over to us.
She admired my doll.
And she remarked how much it looked like me.
I managed to ask for an autograph, which she graciously gave.
We thanked her.
And then we went across the street to Stouffer’s for lunch.
I ordered a floating island for dessert!
All these things are gone, but they certainly are not forgotten.
