Annette Funicello, 70, Dies; Beloved as a Mouseketeer and a Star of Beach Movies

As news spreads of Annette Funicello's passing at age 70 from Multiple Sclerosis-related complications, colleagues and fans have begun to share their fond remembrances of the former Mouseketeer and "Beach Party" goer.Ms. Funicello, who died Monday at 70, embodied youth, good cheer and beach parties for children of the '50s and '60s.Most boys between the ages of 8 and 16 in 1955 through 1958 had their first crushes on Annette Funicello, America's best-loved Mouseketeer who died this week at age 70. Annette joined TV's “The Mickey Mouse Club” at age 12 and was featured thereThe waiter came to our noisy table of 9-year-olds and said Annette Funicello was nearby and could meet the birthday girl. She was with three or four dull grown-ups. Funicello was wearing a purple wrist corsage, which she took off and gave to me. IAnnette Funicello, who passed away

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