Virginia Patton (1925–2022), “It’s a Wonderful Life” actress 

Virginia Patton was an actress who is best remembered for playing the sister-in-law of Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey in the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”   

Lee Mendelson (1933–2019), “Peanuts” TV specials producer

Lee Mendelson wasthe executive producer for the beloved cPeanutsc19 TV special,cCharlie Brown Christmas.c19 He also producedcItc19s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,c19 cA Charlie Brown Thanksgivingc19 and more than 50 other animated TV specials. Outside of cPeanuts,c19 he oversaw the cGarfieldc19 and cCathyc19 animated TV specials. Mendelson decided to hire jazz musician Vince Guaraldi to create music for cCharlie Brown Christmasc19 and he co-wrote the lyrics for the timeless song in that special, cChristmas Time Is Here.c19

How Do I Handle Holidays While Grieving?

In his latest Facebook Live session with Legacy, compares death to the Grinch from Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas . For many grievers, that’s how death feels — like a thief who has stolen the joy from their lives — and the months leading up to the holidays are some of the hardest to get through.

Jacob Thompson, boy with cancer had his Christmas wish fulfilled

People around the world sent him Christmas cards…

Christian Risner (2014–2017), inspired hometown to celebrate Christmas in September

Christian Risner, a 3-year-old boy whose fight with cancer inspired his small Kansas hometown to celebrate Christmas in September, has died.

Paul O'Neill (1956–2017), Trans-Siberian Orchestra founder

Music mastermind founded prog rock’s Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Swingin' in the Season with Sammy

Sammy Davis Jr. , aka , was no ordinary entertainer. In fact, his life and career were rather extraordinary.

Handling the Holidays After the Death of a Loved One

Remember that you have options about how to cope with the holidays after the death of a person you love.

Pasteles

Every Thanksgiving, Maddie's family looked forward to her mom’s pasteles.

You're a Good Man, Vince Guaraldi

If you know the name Vince Guaraldi, you probably associate it with one iconic piece of music.

Oscar Peterson's Jazzy Christmas

Oscar Peterson died just before Christmas 2008. We remember him and the musical way he celebrated the holiday season.

A Lou Rawls Christmas

had "the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game," once said. That velvety voice sounds good all year long, but never quite as wonderful as during the holidays.

Happy Holidays, Marlene Dietrich

Born Dec. 27, 1901, Marlene Dietrich was a Christmas-season baby.

James Brown's Funky Christmas

The Godfather of Soul James Brown arecorded three Christmas albums during his career, injecting his soulful style into holiday classics and new songs. The 1995 album "James Brown's Funky Christmas" takes the best of"James Brown Sings Christmas Songs" (1966),"A Soulful Christmas" (1968), and "Hey America It's Christmas" (1970), and puts them together in one, funky holiday playlist.

Mel Tormé: A Series of Odd Jobs

Tormé liked to say that he never had a career, only a series of odd jobs, and he was only half-joking.

The Awful Frank Sidebottom

A look back at the classic comedy of Chris Sievey and his alter ego Frank Sidebottom.