Dawn Wells America's Sweetheart
10/18/38 - 12/30/2020
Nothing I say in this post will be sufficient because there are no words to convey the sadness I feel.
Dawn was my friend for 45 years. She was also America’s sweetheart. Her life force was not to be believed. Her curiosity was as boundless as her heart was huge. Her kindness to her fans was legendary. Just ask any fan who ever met her.
My heart breaks for the loss that I and so many others are feeling today. Somehow it doesn’t seem possible that I’m talking about Dawn in the past tense. But I’m so grateful for her 82 beautiful years on this earth - years full of adventure and joy. Her impact in television, movies and stage will live on, her legacy will never fade.
I’ll treasure our friendship until my last breath. I’ll remember the girl talks (so many girl talks), rooming together on the road, the fun we had at autograph shows, the way she lit up a room the minute she entered. Our last visit was in February of 2019 when she came to Princeton to co-host the Denver Foundation’s Valentines for Veterans concert. I needed her. She came. That’s who she was. She stayed at my house and we were having so much fun she extended her visit for 2 extra days! I had no idea that would be our last time together and I'm beyond grateful for those 5 days of just being girlfriends.
My heart is broken. Dawn and I always said we were meant to be friends. Even if I had never met Bob, we were certain the theater circuit would have brought us together, our paths would have crossed. When we finally did meet on the set of “Rescue from Gilligan’s Island”, we became friends instantly and that friendship lasted through the loss of Natalie, Jim, Alan, Russell and the love of my life, Bob.
What a reunion they must be having. They all loved each other so much, and what a blessing that I became part of the castaway love fest.
Dawnie, I love you. I can’t believe you’re gone. I pray you’re at peace. My heart hurts. This has been so difficult to write and I’m afraid I haven’t done you justice. You were a bright light in this sometimes dark world. You were my friend, loved by me and so many others.
The ultimate dilemma was never really a dilemma at all - Ginger or Mary Ann?
It was always Mary Ann . . . .
Rest In Peace, my beautiful friend.
Mary Ann and Mrs. Gilligan