Shirley Temple

1928 - 2014

Shirley Temple

1928 - 2014

BORN

1928

DIED

2014

Shirley Temple Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 11, 2014.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Shirley Temple, the dimpled, curly-haired child star who sang, danced, sobbed and grinned her way into the hearts of Depression-era moviegoers, has died, according to publicist Cheryl Kagan. She was 85.

Temple, known in private life as Shirley Temple Black, died Monday night at about 11 p.m. at her home near San Francisco. She was surrounded by family members and caregivers, Kagan said.

"We salute her for a life of remarkable achievements as an actor, as a diplomat, and most importantly as our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and adored wife for fifty-five years of the late and much missed Charles Alden Black," a family statement said.

Photo Gallery: Child Actors

A talented and ultra-adorable entertainer, Shirley Temple was America's top box-office draw from 1935 to 1938, a record no other child star has come near. She beat out such grown-ups as Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, Robert Taylor, Gary Cooper and Joan Crawford.

In 1999, the American Film Institute ranking of the top 50 screen legends ranked Temple at No. 18 among the 25 actresses. She appeared in scores of movies and kept children singing "On the Good Ship Lollipop" for generations.

Temple was credited with helping save 20th Century Fox from bankruptcy with films such as "Curly Top" and "The Littlest Rebel." She even had a drink named after her, an appropriately sweet and innocent cocktail of ginger ale and grenadine, topped with a maraschino cherry.

Temple blossomed into a pretty young woman, but audiences lost interest, and she retired from films at 21. She raised a family and later became active in politics and held several diplomatic posts in Republican administrations, including ambassador to Czechoslovakia during the historic collapse of communism in 1989.

"I have one piece of advice for those of you who want to receive the lifetime achievement award. Start early," she quipped in 2006 as she was honored by the Screen Actors Guild.

But she also said that evening that her greatest roles were as wife, mother and grandmother. "There's nothing like real love. Nothing." Her husband of more than 50 years, Charles Black, had died just a few months earlier.

They lived for many years in the San Francisco suburb of Woodside.

Temple's expert singing and tap dancing in the 1934 feature "Stand Up and Cheer!" first gained her wide notice. The number she performed with future Oscar winner James Dunn, "Baby Take a Bow," became the title of one of her first starring features later that year.

Also in 1934, she starred in "Little Miss Marker," a comedy-drama based on a story by Damon Runyon that showcased her acting talent. In "Bright Eyes," Temple introduced "On the Good Ship Lollipop" and did battle with a charmingly bratty Jane Withers, launching Withers as a major child star, too.

She was "just absolutely marvelous, greatest in the world," director Allan Dwan told filmmaker-author Peter Bogdanovich in his book "Who the Devil Made It: Conversations With Legendary Film Directors." ''With Shirley, you'd just tell her once and she'd remember the rest of her life," said Dwan, who directed "Heidi" and "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." ''Whatever it was she was supposed to do - she'd do it. ... And if one of the actors got stuck, she'd tell him what his line was - she knew it better than he did."

Temple's mother, Gertrude, worked to keep her daughter from being spoiled by fame and was a constant presence during filming. Her daughter said years later that her mother had been furious when a director once sent her off on an errand and then got the child to cry for a scene by frightening her. "She never again left me alone on a set," she said.

Temple became a nationwide sensation. Mothers dressed their little girls like her, and a line of dolls was launched that are now highly sought-after collectables. Her immense popularity prompted President Franklin D. Roosevelt to say that "as long as our country has Shirley Temple, we will be all right."

"When the spirit of the people is lower than at any other time during this Depression, it is a splendid thing that for just 15 cents, an American can go to a movie and look at the smiling face of a baby and forget his troubles," Roosevelt said.

She followed up in the next few years with a string of hit films, most with sentimental themes and musical subplots. She often played an orphan, as in "Curly Top," where she introduced the hit "Animal Crackers in My Soup," and "Stowaway," in which she was befriended by Robert Young, later of "Father Knows Best" fame.

She teamed with the great black dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson in two 1935 films with Civil War themes, "The Little Colonel" and "The Littlest Rebel." Their tap dance up the steps in "The Little Colonel" (at a time when interracial teamings were unheard-of in Hollywood) became a landmark in the history of film dance.

Some of her pictures were remakes of silent films, such as "Captain January," in which she recreated the role originally played by the silent star Baby Peggy Montgomery in 1924. "Poor Little Rich Girl" and "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," done a generation earlier by Mary Pickford, were heavily rewritten for Temple, with show biz added to the plots to give her opportunities to sing.

In its review of "Rebecca," the show business publication Variety complained that a "more fitting title would be 'Rebecca of Radio City.'"

She won a special Academy Award in early 1935 for her "outstanding contribution to screen entertainment" in the previous year.

"She is a legacy of a different time in motion pictures. She caught the imagination of the entire country in a way that no one had before," actor Martin Landau said when the two were honored at the Academy Awards in 1998.

Temple's fans agreed. Her fans seemed interested in every last golden curl on her head: It was once guessed that she had more than 50. Her mother was said to have done her hair in pin curls for each movie, with every hairstyle having exactly 56 curls.

On her eighth birthday - she actually was turning 9, but the studio wanted her to be younger - Temple received more than 135,000 presents from around the world, according to "The Films of Shirley Temple," a 1978 book by Robert Windeler. The gifts included a baby kangaroo from Australia and a prize Jersey calf from schoolchildren in Oregon.

"She's indelible in the history of America because she appeared at a time of great social need, and people took her to their hearts," the late Roddy McDowall, a fellow child star and friend, once said.

Although by the early 1960s, she was retired from the entertainment industry, her interest in politics soon brought her back into the spotlight.

She made an unsuccessful bid as a Republican candidate for Congress in 1967. After Richard Nixon became p resident in 1969, he appointed her as a member of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. In the 1970s, she was U.S. ambassador to Ghana and later U.S. chief of protocol.

She then served as ambassador to Czechoslovakia during the administration of the first President Bush. A few months after she arrived in Prague in mid-1989, communist rule was overthrown in Czechoslovakia as the Iron Curtain collapsed across Eastern Europe.

"My main job (initially) was human rights, trying to keep people like future President Vaclav Havel out of jail," she said in a 1999 Associated Press interview. Within months, she was accompanying Havel, the former dissident playwright, when he came to Washington as his country's new president.

She considered her background in entertainment an asset to her political career.

"Politicians are actors too, don't you think?" she once said. "Usually if you like people and you're outgoing, not a shy little thing, you can do pretty well in politics." Born in Santa Monica to an accountant and his wife, Temple was little more than 3 years old when she made her film debut in 1932 in the Baby Burlesks, a series of short films in which tiny performers parodied grown-up movies, sometimes with risque results.

Among the shorts were "War Babies," a parody of "What Price Glory," and "Polly Tix in Washington," with Shirley in the title role.

Her young life was free of the scandals that plagued so many other child stars - parental feuds, drug and alcohol addiction - but Temple at times hinted at a childhood she may have missed out on.

She stopped believing in Santa Claus at age 6, she once said, when "Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph."

After her years at the top, maintaining that level of stardom proved difficult for her and her producers. The proposal to have her play Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" didn't pan out. (20th Century Fox chief Darryl Zanuck refused to lend out his greatest asset.) And "The Little Princess" in 1939 and "The Blue Bird" in 1940 didn't draw big crowds, prompting Fox to let Temple go.

Among her later films were "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer," with Cary Grant, and "That Hagen Girl," with Ronald Reagan. Several, including the wartime drama "Since You Went Away," were produced by David O. Selznick. One, "Fort Apache," was directed by John Ford, who had also directed her "Wee Willie Winkie" years earlier.

Her 1942 film, "Miss Annie Rooney," included her first on-screen kiss, bestowed by another maturing child star, Dickie Moore.

After her film career effectively ended, she concentrated on raising her family and turned to television to host and act in 16 specials called "Shirley Temple's Storybook" on ABC. In 1960, she joined NBC and aired "The Shirley Temple Show."

Her 1988 autobiography, "Child Star," became a best-seller.

Temple had married Army Air Corps private John Agar, the brother of a classmate at Westlake, her exclusive L.A. girls' school, in 1945. He took up acting and the pair appeared together in two films, "Fort Apache" and "Adventure in Baltimore." She and Agar had a daughter, Susan, in 1948, but she filed for divorce the following year.

She married Black in 1950, and they had two more children, Lori and Charles. That marriage lasted until his death in 2005 at age 86.

In 1972, she underwent successful surgery for breast cancer. She issued a statement urging other women to get checked by their doctors and vowed, "I have much more to accomplish before I am through."

During a 1996 interview, she said she loved both politics and show business.

"It's certainly two different career tracks," she said, "both completely different but both very rewarding, personally."

___

MARTHA MENDOZA, Associated Press


Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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March 3, 2025

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February 13, 2025

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January 12, 2025

Crystal Ortega posted to the memorial.

1241 Entries

Tony Spirito

March 3, 2025

JG

February 13, 2025

May God give you strength and comfort during this difficult time. I am so sorry for your loss. Sending sincere condolences and prayers to her family and friends. She will be greatly missed. Please take comfort in knowing that she touched the hearts of so many.

Crystal Ortega

January 12, 2025

R.i.p. Watching you now little blue bird! You will always live on.

Leslie Redaway

October 16, 2024

Rest In Heaven

Carson Loveless

September 3, 2024

Condolences to her family

Jeni Johnson

June 15, 2021

You will always be missed even in 30 more years

Susan Patterson

April 20, 2021

Loved the movies and radio shows.

John Cheeks

March 22, 2021

She's beautiful and sweet

Kathy Samples

October 3, 2020

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Amber Herring

February 21, 2018

I watched you all the time growing up my mom and dad always told me I looked like you because of my curly hair you will deeply be missed

April 23, 2017

I was born 5/22/1927 watched a lot of your movies as a kid your age, needless to say I loved them all
Ike watts, cisco, Texas

Valenda Newell

June 29, 2016

Many Blessings and Prayers to one's Family.

NICOLE PENN

May 25, 2016

TO MRS. SHIRLEY BLACK TEMPLE.I REALLY GOING TO MISS YOU.I WATCH YOUR SHOW EVERY SUNDAY.I WAS WITH MY GRANDMA LOUISE AT THE TIME.YOU HELP ME BECOME A BETTER FEMALE.I WATCH YOU SO MUCH I HAVE A DAUGHTER FAVOR YOU.

Lillian

February 10, 2016

Oh how I remember seeing little Shirley in so many memorable roles. She played all of them so perfectly and her role as U.S. Ambassador shows her humanitarian efforts to make the world a better place. May it comfort her family and fans to know that she will return to her youth and entertain all again with her charismatic personality which imitates our Happy God - 1 Timothy 1:11.

Jerome Bokina

December 20, 2015

I WILL REMEMBER

JERRY BOKINA

Diane Mercer

August 6, 2015

My mother was born the same year as Shirley and she grew up loving her. She introduced her movies to me at a young age.I inturn introduced my children. I am now teaching my grandchildren about the worlds greatest and most loved child star.She has 4 generations in my family that love and admire her work.
You may be gone physically but you will live on in the hearts of your fans, young and old.

Jeanette Normam

July 27, 2015

I remember when i was a little girl the most exciting part of my weekend was doing my chores and watching Shirley temple matinee. Her tap dancing with bill robinson,and many other stars. But my favorite movie was Heidi, it was so emotional when they took her away her grandfather and he just went all over the village looking for her
RIP SHIRLEY: we will miss you

Alice Leger

May 5, 2015

I loved her and now my daughter loves her to.

Kate Cuozzo

April 5, 2015

I will remember you always and your inspiring ways -Kate Cuozzo

Althea Green

March 13, 2015

she was my best I have all her movies still love you Shirley love Peachie

CARMEN FLORIO

February 21, 2015

I WILL REMEMBER YOU ALWAYS.

"Forever in my heart!" {Shirley means 'bright meadow'}

Shirley

February 10, 2015

"Thank you LORD, for blessing us with Miss Shirley Temple (Black)!" "Thank you Miss Shirley for blessing us with all of your great works!" "Thank you to her Family for sharing such a wonderful lady with the world." "Rest in Heavenly Peace, dear Miss Shirley!" "You'll always have a very special place in my heart!" ("As my parents named me after you!") "Thoughts and Prayers to all who loved her!" "Until we finally get to meet in Heaven... I'll see you in the movies!" {"I will carry our name "Shirley" lovingly in honour of you, for the rest of my life!"}xoxoxoxoxoxoxo Shirley, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Wanda Magner

January 25, 2015

We have lost one of the best actresses of all time I hope you know how much everyone loved you RIP

THOMAS MILLMAN

January 19, 2015

May you rest in peace,SHIRLEY,thank you for all you were,an ANGEL OF GOD FOR ALL TO SEE!You will be dearly missed.You were the finest example of a human being and a genuine MARVEL.I LOVE YOU SHIRLEY TEMPLE BLACK.XO

November 21, 2014

I enjoyed your movies. You were great, today's actors should take lessons from a real proYOU. You had remarkable talent beyond compare.You are on the good ship to heaven. 1 day i hope to see you there. (Barbara Vanagas,Douglaston NY)

September 19, 2014

I, like many was entertained as a young child with wholesome,upbeat, multitalented adults along side Shirley, fashioning my youth. Thank you for your influence in my life, the joy you cultivated lives on, fondly, Rebecca Shackett Puyallup,Washington

September 4, 2014

I MISS U SHIRLEY MAY U RIP!! LOVING U 1of YOUR FANS

TERESA ALCALA`

September 3, 2014

THIS CANDLE SHINE`S BRIGHT JUST LIKE U MAY U RIP U CUTIE CURL "SHIRLEY" I LOVE WATCHN ALL UR MOVIES! PRECIOUS MEMORIES I HAVE OF U... REST SWEET ANGEL XOXO

Jillian

August 19, 2014

May the Beautiful Memories of your loved one provide solace and strength to you and your family during this difficult time. May you also find comfort God's promise of life without end in Paradise. Matthew 5:5 , Acts 25:15

D G

August 12, 2014

She was such a beautiful and talented child...I always wanted a daughter like her. May she rest in peace.

ELLEN COLE

August 10, 2014

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A SHIRLEY TEMPLE FAN. I STILL WATCH HER MOVIES WHENEVER THERE ON. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH HER FAMILY,BUT JUST REMEMBER,SHE'S NOT GONE FROM US,SHE'S JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE. GOD BLESS.

FRM A FAN IN SANTA ANA, CA. 8-)

June 24, 2014

WAT A BLESSING GOD GAVE US ONE AWSOME ENTERTAINER!! U MADE US ALL VERY HAPPY W-UR MOVIES, THE MOVES U & MR ROBINSON SHARED 2GTHR U SHOWD US LOTS OF LOVE W-UR DANCE MOVES... MAY U RIP!! GOD BLESS HER FAM.. LUV U SHIRLEY

Vickie Walters

June 15, 2014

I will always have you Shirley through your films. love and prayers to your family we have lost a great human being.

June 12, 2014

Great person she worked hard her whole life. Hope she knew how much she was loved.

Psalm 46:1

June 11, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

June 10, 2014

What talent she had! I'm 74, and have always loved her movies!!! She was such a shining example of talent, and personality.
God rest your soul Mrs. Shirley Temple Black. You made all of our lives brighter!!

stubbs baldwin

June 7, 2014

Thank you for your movies .you will always be missed & in everyones heart.-stubby baldwin-(salem,OR)

carolyn colwell

May 16, 2014

"my childhood idol you will be miss"

May 16, 2014

Still in my heart after all these years. You will be missed.

LUV* TERI

May 15, 2014

WE WILL MISS YOU ~SHIRLEY~ U ARE ONE AWSOME LIL PRINCESS UR LEGACY WILL LIVE ON FOREVER!! RIP U PRECIOUS SEÑORA GOD BLESS...

May 15, 2014

I USED TO COLLECT DOLLS, AT LEAST 6 ARE SHIRLEY TEMPLE, 2 HAVE COME UP MISSING ALREADY.DOLL ROOM IS DOWNSTAIRS, I AM IN WHEELCHAIR FROM PSP DISEASE, CANT GO DOWNSTAIRS OFTEN.YOUR FAMILY HAS MY SYMPATHY IN THIS LOSS OF A VERY TALENTED PERSON.

Nakia Terry

May 13, 2014

I Love You Shirley Temple

Lisa Weiner

May 5, 2014

To Shirley Temple.
You were a very talented actress. I liked watching you dance and sing On the good ship lollipop. My prayers go to your family and friends. Lisa Weiner

*Parker*

May 4, 2014

I am doing a paper on Shirley, I found out some rely cool things about her you never would have guessed!

Rebecca Anderson

April 30, 2014

You were an amazing woman Shirley im doing a report on you and I was named after your movie Rebecca and the sunny brook farm

Linda

April 29, 2014

Shirley, you will live on in our hearts forever. God blessed you with a huge amount of talent and beauty. Thank you so much for all the precious moments watching your movies.

Marie Nelson

April 24, 2014

Thank you for all you gave us.

Shirley Moux

April 21, 2014

Thanks for your wonderful films and talent! My daughter and I will always treasure your movies, which brought us joy and fond memories. She is probably the only 9 year old who knows about you and has a Shirley Temple doll of 1970s. God bless and comfort your love ones.

Rebecca and Rita Kennen

April 19, 2014

You were a great dancer and actress. I miss you. I loved Heidi, A little Princess and Bright Eyes. Your dimples, curls, smile and how you danced was sweet. It made me happy.

Rest In Peace.. We love you??

April 17, 2014

I thank u for the beautiful memories u leave behind Ur legacy will live on may u RIP!! SHIRLEY U ROCK!!

FRM 1 OF UR FANS:^) TERESA ALCALA`

April 9, 2014

TO A LOVING BEAUTIFUL, FUNNY AWSOME ACTRESS! UR LEGACY WILL LIVE 4EVER NO ONE CAN EVER 4GET `SHIRLEY TEMPLE` GOD BLESS U ALWAYS SWEET PRINCESS... GONE BUT NEVER FORGTTN MEMORIES OF U WILL ALWAYS B IN MY <3 I THNX U 4 BEING SUCH A GREAT ACTRESS. LOVING U MS TEMPLE! RIP NOW N 4EVR

Tam

April 8, 2014

What a wonderful lady, I adored her movies as I was growing up. My grandma wanted to be her also when she was growing up (Shirley's contemporary). My prayers are with her loving family.

April 7, 2014

Thanks for the memories...You were a SHINING STAR!

THE SUMLER BOWDEN, JR. GIRLS OF MOUNT GILEAD, NC

April Goins

April 7, 2014

I was fascinated with your dance technique and your humble spirit. I loved how you displayed your feelings for Bill Robinson on your shoulders for such a gifted and talented black dancer and actor during an awkward time in history..you always made me and my sisters smile. We have continued the tradition of ..watching your shows ..and sharing this tradition with our .children and granchildren..Rest in Peace Shirley....Job well done!

Cris

April 7, 2014

Thanks for your life...

April 3, 2014

i miss yo shows

March 31, 2014

Little Shirley was entertaining and joy to watch, she made many of us smile. To her family and all that love and miss her. The loss of a dear love one can make one's heart heavy.....God promises: When we "Throw our burdens on him that he will sustain us".
Psalms 22...May you find comfort.
~Cincinnati, Ohio~

Brenda Owen

March 31, 2014

I have always loved Shirley Temple. My heart sank when I heard she passed. She gave me countless hours of pleasure. She is in Heaven. GOD now has the earth's greatest treasure.

linda parker

March 31, 2014

I will always remember the young Shirley. I hug my Shirley Temple doll as I realize she is gone. She became a great lady. She was truly one of a kind. I am so sorry for your loss.

L Alban

March 28, 2014

God Bless You!

joan simmons

March 20, 2014

shirley temple a little sweat heart love the song ; all i want for xmas is a hippopotomus that is sooooo cute R,I.P SHIRLEY GOD BLESS YOU AND LOVE ALL YOUR SONGS

Sandra W

March 20, 2014

Just wanted to write a word of comfort in your time of sorrow. "He will actually swallow up death for ever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces."
May you have hope in our creator in that he will do all that he purposes.

wendy acosta

March 17, 2014

So sorry to have lost such a great person loved her little girl movies.lost part of my history R.I.P.

GRAMAGLITTER

March 12, 2014

A LITTLE OLDER THAN ME BUT MY FRIEND GROWING UP. SHE WAS A TERRIFIC MODEL TO SHOW US THAT GOOD GALS FINISH FIRST AND SHE WAS THE BEST. MARCIE
HECHT GRAMAGLITTER

Toni Ormiston

March 11, 2014

Amazing little girl that warmed our hearts and an amazing woman who did so much in her lifetime. My heart goes out to her family. Thank you for sharing her with us.

Kathleen V

March 10, 2014

Thank you, thank you, thank you. We loved you, and we do love you.

Gloria Knight

March 10, 2014

She was before my time, but she is timeless and will always be remembered as the one of a kind adorable toddler. Good bye Mrs. Black, there will never be again another like you.

Bobbie Sigers

March 9, 2014

Shirley Temple rest in peace "Little Princess"; you will be forever in my heart!!!

A loving Fan!!!!

Cindy&Kenny Zokowich

March 9, 2014

Shirley and Family, How can any words express the joy so many of us had when watching you in movies. You were the cutest child with all those ringlets of curls. You were so talented and made daily life fun with your smile. Life was hard for so many back in the depression, and you helped to lessen the sadness and gave hope to many with your energy and talent. Your family will miss you but they'll feel you near them. You've been blessed with eternal life in heaven, and you're probably entertaining people there now. I've most of your movies and several Shirley Temple dolls. They'll be passed to my granddaughters and I hope they'll cherish them also. Is there another talented family member in the Temple-Black clan? May you all hold this precious lady in your hearts and thoughts always, and smile when you think of her. What a blessing Shirley was to the world and a bright light. Thank You for the memories and for all you did for this country as our ambassador. This world needs more people like Shirley Temple-Black and all the good she did in her lifetime. GOD BLESS you all!!

"Good Night My Love"

Bonnie Akers

March 5, 2014

"I Will Always Love You! My Little Princess, Your Star Will Never! Burn Out!I Am So Honored To Have Been In Our Cities TV Guide, To Share My Shirley Collection And My Love And Admiration For You! Thank You! For All The Love And Kindness You Gave To The World, The World Will Never Forget You! And Nither Will I." I Will Always Cherish You Forever In My Heart, Your Love Lives On!-Bonnie Akers (Columbus,OH)

Cynthia

March 5, 2014

To the family, please accept my sincere condolences. I LOVED HER MOVIES!!! I don't think there's any that I didn't see, "The Good Ship Lollipop", "Heidi", "The little Princess", "Bright Eyes". How cute and adorable and talented she was. I'm sure she will be missed dearly by her family and her many fans, but her legacy lives on. I pray that her family will be comforted by their sweet memories of her and by the comfort of knowing that God see your pain and he care about what you're going through (John 5:28,29; Revelations 21:3,4).

Daria Ilene Annglow Mercer

March 4, 2014

Thank You Love...

mary theriault-fink

March 4, 2014

I have grown up watching your movies I own lot's of them my children and grandchildren enjoy your movies too.I have 4 dolls of you and my most favorite is my walking doll...my daughters played with them...and now my grandaughters play with them as well...you will be missed and loved every second of every day ...you are part of our family forever rest in peace.mary theriault- fink and family

Cynthia Staton

March 3, 2014

I will always love you and you will forever be in my heart! xoxoxoxo

Jerry O'Connor Bottari

March 3, 2014

I wrote this poem the day that I heard she had left this world, but not our hearts where she will always be. My deepest sympathy I send to her family, friends, and the world at this sad time and I share this poem in her memory for each of you.

The World's Little Princess
She gave the world a reason to smile with her own smiles for years…
She lit up my childhood when I was sad and lonely…
Her songs of enchantment taught children to eat their spinach…
Not to over indulge in candy from “The Good Ship Lollipop”….
And to fill their days with “Animal Crackers in My Soup”….
Where lions and tigers would loop ta loop in your bowl of soup…
And, “an old straw hat, a pair of overalls, and a worn out pair of shoes…
Were no disgrace in those lean years after the Great Depression…
She danced and sang her way into your heart and would never leave...
Little girls around the world in homes, yards, and garages would try…
Their very best to sing and dance their way into their parent's hearts like her…
As we grew, she grew and showed the world the innocence of young love…
Then she shared her love of Fairytales once a week to the children of world…
Who more fitting than an angel of the earth should serve as an Ambassador…
A light in the world has gone out leaving a legacy of smiles, songs, and dances…
Forever preserved for my grandchildren, their grandchildren, and every child at heart…
In a collection of films and records that will be loved now as they were then…
Thanks to this little girl with bright eyes, smiles, and the voice of an angel…
Who grew into a loving, caring, and amazing woman whose smile still will shine…
In the hearts of the children, grandchildren, and children at heart for all eternity…
It is time to sing with all the other angels…goodbye and rest in peace…
Shirley Temple Black, the world became lighter because you were in it…

Written: February 11, 2014 By: Jerry O'Connor Bottari

Rusty Taylor

March 2, 2014

It was a privilege for me to work at Bank of California and meet Mrs. Black when she was a Board of Director.

Jill Jolliff

March 2, 2014

You made a lonely, only child happy when I saw your movies. I took tap lessons and would dance along with you when I watched.
When I grew up I had 2 daughters; Rebecca and Heidi.
Thank you for all my wonderful memories.
Jill Jolliff (San Jacinto, CA)

March 2, 2014

Her movies and her talent made me smile when other things couldn't she will be missed.

Perry Beneduce

March 2, 2014

She brought so much joy and laughter to generation after generation. It seems unfair that she is gone. Rest in peace Shirley, the world is better because of you.

Lisa Weiner

March 2, 2014

To Shirley Temple,
You were a very talented actress. I liked the way you sang on the good ship lollipop. My prayers go to your family and friends. Lisa Weiner

Cynthia

March 1, 2014

I absolutely adored in her movies as little girl! She was cute, funny and had so much talent. Her abilities were truly gifts from God. I loved watching her as a child and even as an adult. She will be missed so much by her many fans, but I'm sure there's no comparison to the pain her family must be feeling. Our heavenly Father knows how painful it is when we lose someone we love to death and he promise that he is going to “wipe out every tear” from our eyes, and “death will be no more” … Revelations 21:4. Please allow God to comfort you along with all of your many sweet memories that you shared with her.

Maryanne

March 1, 2014

Ill remember you by my Grandma & your namesake drink, & by your entertainment! <3

Malone Family

February 27, 2014

May our Creator give you comfort during this time of sorrow. Many people are emotionally and spiritually strengthen after reading the Scriptures to learn their love one is no longer suffering. (Genesis 3:19)

February 27, 2014

I can barely believe our little seet curly blonde little girl is gone. When is she being buried?I work with kids of all ages in public school as a sub. in Miami,Fl. and since the announcement of her passing-I often hear especially the girls singing some of her songs.And ,older kids are aware of her and Billy"Bojangles"Robinson and their famous dancing.Shirley-you will forever remain"that sweet curly haired girkl in our lives.We love you,and orayers are sent out to your living family members.MP-Miami,Fl/

Jay Welsh

February 27, 2014

There are not many boys or guys that have entered their sadness and condolences, may I please be one of the few. Aa a small boy in the rural part of York, Pennsylvania I was introduced first to your photographs and the many articles printed about you and became enchanted with you. Over the years there became less and less news of you and when the recent announcement was made of your passing I was truly devastated. I will always cherish your memory and those ever loving dimples that you have. I am positive as a Christian that you are now with our loving creator and are in the ever lasting presence of our Blessed Savior jesus Christ for all eternity. God Bless you forever Shirley Temple Black. RIP

Connie Marshall

February 27, 2014

You have graced all they days of my life with your Beautiful Soul. How can I thank you Dearest Shirley? Love, so much Love to you, wherever you are. Unending Blessings for you and all of your beloved family.

Lee Boyd

February 26, 2014

Thank you Shirley for bringing smiles to so many peoples lives my daughter will be singing your songs to her children god bless you now together with your hubby may the Angels be with you eternally xxx

Tisha Matticks

February 25, 2014

It is never easy to lose a love one...As I've told my family; "I would rather feel the pain because I know I loved someone, than to never feel the pain because I never loved anyone. Many times we are selfish and want to hold onto our love one's knowing how they are suffering. Texas thoughts and prayers go out to your family as you now soar the heavens with your late husband Charles and with the angles above watching over your family. You will be missed, but certainly well never be forgotten!

Tosha Livingston

February 25, 2014

When I first found out Shirley Temple Passed away my heart dropped. I grew up watching all of her movies, and will watch them every chance I get whenever her movies are shown on television. She was TRULY a legend, and will be sorely missed. May she rest in PEACE!

Alma-Marie Graf

February 25, 2014

Seeing you in Movies gave me the hope to dream and to dare to be different. Thank you for that undeniable star quality that you possessed to the end. Now, you're dancing with the angels.

Deanna Louderback

February 25, 2014

i have every movie she ever made and watch them when i am sad because they always put a smile on your face and in your heart

Joan Volner

February 24, 2014

I absolutely love Shirley Temple and have all of her movies!! I hope the movie industry gives a great tribute to her!! It would only be right after all she gave America!!! She will be greatly missed by all of America!! Rest In Peace Shirley!!! Thank You for making my childhood so great!!! We love you and will miss you more then you could ever have imagined!! I'm going to make it a Shirley Temple movie day this weekend!! God Bless You..... now you can fly with the real Angels!! Sweetest of Dreams, Jo.Volner (Cottage Grove, Minnesota) P.S Thank You for all of the memories I will carry with me for the rest of my life!!!

February 24, 2014

I love Shirley Temple Grew up watching all her movies ,and she was a great lady May you rest in peace .

Bonnie Goodrich

February 24, 2014

rip you will be missed

R. A. Heddinger

February 24, 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

There is a Christian Show in the morning here in Calgary. The message today was and is definitely a tribute to Shirley Temple Black and all of us who follow God. The message was for us to vision how God sees us. God is to lead, and we are to follow in God's love for us in the direction God wants us to go. God has a plan for each and every one of us!
This very simple direction God will give us a life we would never could believe would happen.

Shirley Temple Black did follow and God gave her work that would lead in wisdom to enlighten and help millions of individuals; because we all need God's live, direction and wisdom. It is a dominos of love, Thank you, Shirley, now it is for all of us to see us as God sees us and take lessons of love and leadership from you.

My Mom named my youngest sister (my sister will be 57 years old on May 25th): Shirley, but she is modest and told me that the reason she gave Shirley her name was because she liked it, in reality my Mother named her after Shirley Temple. Thank you, God's Love will never stop because of your example and leadership: Shirley Temple Black!

February 24, 2014

May you Rest In Peace sweet Angel. I am very sad that you left this life but You are now flying above with much joy and happiness. May your sweet face and beautiful smile continue to bring happiness from above. I will always treasure the memories of my life with you here through your movies.

Susan Millar

February 24, 2014

RIP Shirley Temple. A truly amazing iconic screen Legend Actress. " Sleep Tight Bright Eyes". Till we meet again someday soon up in heaven. Xxxxxxxxx

Barbara Sanders

February 24, 2014

Upstairs in my bedroom I have a Shirley Temple dress, it was a reminder of the impact she had on my childhood. From movies and music, we will always remember Shirley. Now in my middle years, I must say what is most important was the role model she was in her adult years and that her family was the most important thing to her! This is what really matters, not just what is on tape. So here's to you Mrs. Black and a life well lived!

susan tomlinson

February 24, 2014

MY HEART goes out to shirleys family.She was a tv idol to me.I would always watch her movies on sundayd.

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