American actress
Wholesome, gorgeous blonde who only made a handful of second-lead roles, usually playing sweetheart types. Mogul Hal B. Wallis took an immediate personal interest in her.
In 1949 she graduated from Stadium High School in Tacoma (WA). In 1951 she graduated from Stephens College in Columbia (MO).
A car crash in 1958 left her a partial cripple and she was forced to give up her career. She returned to her hometown and ran a dancing school.
In March 1952 she was named "Miss Hollywood Star of 1952." She also won the honor from a field of 94 girls and became the first girl mascot of a ball club. The club officials attempted to locate her and notify her of the choice, but she was nowhere to be found. Finally, theyve discovered her in a Hollywood hospital, where she was recovering from an appendectomy. This story was described in all of Los Angeles newspapers at that time.
She died at Coronado Hospital (now Sharp Coronado Hospital) in Coronado, CA from cirrhosis of the liver. Approximate interval between onset and death is estimated at 5 years. Another significant condition contributing to death but not related to the terminal disease is chronic pancreatitis. She was cremated at the Cypress View Crematory in San Diego, CA.
She was crowned one of Hollywoods new deb stars by Hollywood hair stylists in 1953.
In 1935, she won a Shirley Temple look-alike contest at Tacomas Roxy Theater over 200 other local contestants.
Taught a charm course, ballet, ballroom and tap dancing at the Lewis Harter Dance School in Tacoma in 1951.
Last husband, Lt. Commander Charles Candoo was her former Stadium High School classmate.
