September 11, 2001

 

Hi, Sweetheart Fans,

Here is a worthy cause Jeanette would have loved.  She served our country during WW2, working to bring peace and happiness to the world.  As her husband, Gene, served as a bomber pilot in Europe fighting so this generations and future generations would never know the ugliness of hate, let us all join in on AOL's September 11 Memorial, who is inviting members across the country to stand together in remembering and honoring those who died, those who survived and those who are healing.  You can participate by lighting a candle in tribute.

Credit: IMDb

Gene said on Jeanette MacDonald and their marriage (1972): "We had 28 glorious years. Jeanette and I respected and loved each other, very deeply. We put one another before anyone or anything. I am blessed to have known her, loved her and been loved by her - absolutely, an incredible lady!"

 "Gene, is the most wonderful man I've ever known. He's warm, sensitive, loving, funny and very handsome. Being Mrs. Gene Raymond, I admit I'm biased!" - Jeanette MacDonald (1947)

USC Article Summer 2002 sent in by Fran H. ----

 

 (http://www.usc.edu/dept/pubrel/trojan_family/summer02/insupport/InSupport.html)

 

Gene Raymond establishes a $1 millions grant to

 USC Thornton School of Music in the name

of his beloved wife, Jeanette MacDonald.

 

The grant is in tribute to his wife, the great Silver Screen Star of the Golden Era of Movies, 1930s and 1940s.  Jeanette MacDonald who also was a super star on radio, concert and opera stage, and records. Coming from the Broadway Stage in 1929 as a star, she became a successful movie star.  After 4 movies at Paramount with Maurice Chevalier, she went to MGM and her first movie there she was paired her with Nelson Eddy, and together, they made magical movie history. 

 

Jeanette and Gene met in 1936 and married in 1937.  They acted in one movie together, Smilin' Through in 1941 and the next year Gene was off to the war as a flyer.  During the war years Jeanette took up the home cause and performed.  She raised more money doing concerts than any other singer.  Jeanette made two more movie and then concentrated on her concert career. Gene was a dedicate and loving husband who adored his wife and with this grant, even after her death in 1965, his love continues on for her and her wish to help others. Final arrangements were made before his death in1998.  .
 

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USC Campaign Watch

Among the many recent gift to the university is:

The Gene Raymond Trust which has pledged $500,000 to the USC Thornton School of Music to create the Jeanette MacDonald Recital Hall in the Raubenheimer Music Faculty Building.
 

Posted by Gio&Gia