Becky Dorner Fallberg

FALLBERG, Becky Dorner A long-time professional in the animation industry, died on October 8th from complications related to chronic lymphocytic leukemia. She was 84. Becky was born on June 10, 1923 to Joseph Dorner, an Austro-Hungarian immigrant and Rovena Hilton, a descendant of Plymouth Colony settlers. Her early childhood was spent in Elysian Valley, an area locals called Frogtown, near the Los Angeles River. She and her older brother George were part of a close-knit group of neighborhood kids known as "The River Rats" who maintained their friendships the rest of their lives. In 1936 her family moved to a home in Silver Lake, that overlooked the old Walt Disney Studio on Hyperion Avenue. To help with expenses, her father rented some rooms to the artists at the studio. Their presence in the Dorner house inspired Becky to work for Disney. In 1942 she was hired there as a telephone operator. In 1945 Becky married Carl Fallberg, an animation storyman who was a tenant in her parents' house. At Disney, Becky's versatility and friendliness gave her the opportunity to work in many departments in several capacities. She worked on 25 animated features and numerous cartoon shorts, and did freelance work at home while raising her only child, Carla Larissa Fallberg. Becky retired from Disney in 1986, ending her career as manager of the Ink & Paint Dept. In retirement she volunteered as a docent at the Gamble House in Pasadena, which followed her lifelong interest in architecture. In addition to her daughter, she is survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Dorner and many Dorner and Hilton cousins across the country. Memorial services are pending. Donations to Becky's memory can be made to: The Brain Injury Association of America (www.biausa.org), Merit Grants for Young Women (www.mgyw.org) or the Santa Cecilia Orchestra (www.scorchestra.org).