Ann Mikulec

Mikulec, Ann
Ann Mikulec, 86, passed away on November 7, 2013 at Hospice of the Valley in Glendale AZ. Ann was born on March 06, 1927 in Ranshaw PA to Nicholas and Eva Barni. Ann grew up in Shamokin PA. She taught herself to sing and play guitar at a young age crooning her siblings to sleep with lullabies and listening to tunes on her neighbor's Victrola. By 14, she had her own local radio show and later sang. Under the stage name of Ann Bennett, Ann began modeling, starred in a movie musical called "Boots and Ballads," and moved to New York, where she entertained at high-end venues such as the Plaza Hotel. She also sang in supper clubs and private parties often with big bands and working with legends such as Gene Autry and Cole Porter. Ann was one of the entertainers at President Eisenhower's Inaugural Ball and at Frank Sinatra's movie preview of "The Detective" Ann was most noted as the voice that once beamed into millions of US and South American living rooms in the 1960s, signing to children the opening theme song of the much-loved television show "Felix the Cat." Felix was a hit, with his "bag of tricks," which could transform into anything the character wanted. Ann's singsongy theme, recorded in New York in 1959, fit the cat's personality to a T. Moving to Glendale AZ in 1984, Ann visited local schools sharing stories and singing her Christmas song Chrissy the Christmas tree.. Ann married Frank Mikulec in 1948 in New York City. They were married for 54 years. Ann is survived by 2 children Karen and Frank. Son-in-law Ed and her grandson Michael. A graveside service will be held Friday, November 15 at 1:30 PM at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd. Phx. Condolences for the family can be left at www.heritagefuneralchapels.com


'Felix' lyrics
As recorded by Ann Bennett in 1959:
Felix the Cat, the wonderful, wonderful cat,
Whenever he gets in a fix
He reaches into his bag of tricks.
Felix the Cat, the wonderful, wonderful cat,
You'll laugh so hard your sides will ache,
Your heart will go pitter-pat
Watching Felix, the wonderful cat.