White Christmas star Anne Whitefield dies at 85

Whitfield passed away on February 14, with her family by her side at Valley Memorial Hospital in Yakima, Washington. Her obituary states that her death followed an "unexpected accident" during a walk in her neighborhood.

Born on August 27, 1938, in Oxford, Mississippi, Whitfield embarked on her showbiz journey as a child actor when she relocated to Hollywood at the age of 4.

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A Childhood Star's Journey to Iconic Roles

At the age of 7, Whitfield had already secured roles on renowned radio programs such as The Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show and One Man’s Family. Her most notable role came at 15 when she portrayed Susan Waverly in White Christmas.

 Susan was the granddaughter of Major General Thomas Waverly (played by Dean Jagger), the owner of a hotel who finds solace through Irving Berlin tunes and the company of characters portrayed by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen.

Transitioning Beyond Hollywood

During the 1970s, Whitfield bid farewell to Hollywood and relocated to Olympia, Washington. There, she pursued higher education and obtained a bachelor's degree in communications from Evergreen State College. She then embarked on a career as a steward for Clean Water at the Department of Ecology for the State of Washington.

As per her family, Whitfield was also an avid traveler, dedicated activist, and community leader. In 2005, she relocated to Burien, Washington, with the intention of establishing a bed and breakfast. On her 85th birthday, she celebrated by hiking in the Italian Alps with a close friend.

Whitfield is survived by her three children and seven grandchildren. A celebration of her life is set to take place on March 22 at The Cove Community Club in Normandy Park, Washington.

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