Vicki Heller

July 30, 1915 - January 27, 2018
Vicki Heller, born in San Francisco as Evelyn Mannes, weighed in at 1 & 1/2 pounds and lived to 102 & 1/2 years old. Little Evelyn, under the tutelage of her opera singer mother, Esther Mannes, began her theatrical career at the age of 8 as a headliner for Fanchon & Marco, vaudeville producers, when she was billed as "The Miniature Franny Brice." Later she was signed under contract as a starlet by Paramount Studios. Known as Vicki Joyce, she sang with Mal Hallett orchestra, sang solo at Radio City Music Hall, became a featured vocalist with Jimmy Dorsey's Band and headlined in many nightclubs including the famous Clover Club on Sunset Strip. After marrying Harold Heller, a Cleveland manufacturer of stapling machines, scratch golfer and philanthropist, she continued performing. After moving to Los Angeles, she became actively involved with The Young Musicians Foundation (YMF), working there as a volunteer from 1975 to 2007 and serving as President of the Women's Council from 1979 to 1980. In 2009, she moved to Palm Desert.
She is survived by her two daughters, Carole Heller Solomon (Shira) and Peggy Jo Heller; four grandchildren & three great-grandchildren; and her sister Maxine Manners Samuels.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in Vicki Heller's name may be made to Young Musicians Foundation. See www.ymf.org/support.html