‘Leave It To Beaver” June Cleaver Actress BarBara Billingsley, Dead At The Age Of 94…She Was The Mother For A Generation Of Fans!

Sad news for all us ‘Leave It To Beaver’ fans…

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The AP is reporting that veteran actress Barbara Billingsley, who gained the title supermom for her gentle portrayal of June Cleaver, the warm, supportive mother of a pair of precocious boys in “Leave it to Beaver,” has died. She was 94.(ABC)

 

American nuclear family unit as portrayed on 'Leave It To Beaver".

 

Barbara Billingsley portrayed the iconic American nuclear family housewife on one of the most popular T.V. series ever  for 234 episodes, that ran from 1957-1963, but continues to gain fans worldwide through the re-runs of the series, and will continue to do so for generations to come.(SOURCE)

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It was the first television series to be written from a child’s point-of-view, and that resonated with children all over the USA.The portrayal of June Cleaver, the mother to the precocious Beaver, was of a warm and understanding stay at home house wife, always available tending to the every need of her husband and children around the house.(Sexism in Sitcoms)

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This portrayal of womanhood soon faded into history as American women mounted a drive to be career minded,driven to succeed in business,single and liberated.Watching the old ‘Leave It To Beaver” series is like looking at a time capsule of our old outmoded societal roles.(Source)

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A family spokeswoman said Billingsley died of polymyalgia, a rheumatoid disease, at her home in Santa Monica, Calif.

The death of Barbara Billingsley leaves only two members of the Cleaver family with us, Tony Dow and Jerry Mathers.

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Jerry Mathers, said, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and lifetime mentor Barbara Billingsley. She will live in the hearts of her fans as a wonderful actress and be remembered by her friends as a gracious lady.”

“She will be deeply missed by all of her family, friends, fans and most especially by me.”(Source)

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Tony Dow,who portrayed her T.V. son Wally stated on Saturday… “America’s favorite mother is now gone”…  Dow said “I feel very fortunate to have been her ‘son’ for 11 years.  We were wonderful friends and I will miss her very much”.(SOURCE)

 

Hugh Beaumont,aka Ward Cleaver, died in 1982, at the age of 73...

 

Hugh Beaumont, the actor who portrayed her T.V. husband, died in 1982 at the age of 73.(IMDB)

I am sure they are together again today…

Barbara Billingsley is survived by her two sons, Drew Billingsley and Glenn Billingsley Jr.,a stepson, and four grandchildren.

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She will be missed greatly by her family, as well as her legions of fans that span several generations of children,who looked up to her like a mom, that came into our living rooms each week, in support of one of our good friends, Beaver Cleaver.

My she rest in peace…

 

The cast of 'Leave It To Beaver' has now lost their mom,Barbara Billingsley.

 

 

For more on this story…

NPR

LA Times

People