The quintessential mom has passed away. Barbara Billingsley, best known and loved as June Cleaver on the television series “Leave It To Beaver”, died today at the age of 94. She was the mom I had hoped to be when I grew up, and the mom I loathed once I got here. No one could ever live up to the standard June Cleaver set for moms everywhere.
I saw an interview conducted with Barbara Billingsley after the success of the movie Airplane!, and someone asked her about the fashion fabulous Mom character she played. She replied that the trademark pearl necklace June Cleaver wore wasn’t meant to be the fashion statement of a pulled together woman, but rather a suggestion on the part of a camera man who complained that a rather deep indent in her neck made it look like she had a hole in her throat. They needed something that would hide the depression, and pearls did the trick.
Even the best moms have imperfect moments.
Rest in Peace.
