Vale Annette and Margaret.

Today the world has lost two iconic women.   The news on t.v. tonight focussed on Margaret Thatcher, understandably a more important and well known person to the world than a child movie star.
But Annette Funicello was greatly loved in her time at Disney Studios, starting off with the Mickey Mouse Show, and going on to make the Beach movies with Frankie Avalon.  Anyone who was growing up in the 50's and 60's will remember Annette.  She was not your typical Hollywood star of today, in and out of relationships, drugs, and alcohol, although when she disappeared from public view, there were rumours about her being an alcoholic.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  She had Multiple Sclerosis - the most deadly form of it, and has suffered for 20 years.   This link shows videos of her husband caring for her.  He was 10 years older than Annette, and it is plain to see how much he  loved her.  He was her primary caregiver right up till the end.
As much as Margaret Thatcher will be remembered, hated by some and loved by others, it overshadows the death of Annette Funicello, which came after a very long and cruel illness.