It is with a sad and heavy heart that I write this column.
On February 24th , one of my dearest friends lost her battle with cancer. You will remember the TV series Father Knows Best ” in which Lauren Chapin played the role of Kathy Anderson. The show ran from 1954 until 1960.
She was nicknamed “Kitten.” In 1957, I was cast as “Mara” in an episode titled “The Spelling Bee.” From the moment we met, we just “clicked.
There was never a rivalry, nor a competition, nor jealousy. We had an instant love for each and Lauren was warm and welcoming to me – as was everyone in the cast.
As a child, she was one of the best there was and gained a reputation of being one of the most “cherished “child stars on TV. Lauren received 5 junior Emmy’s for best child actress.
As years went by, people’s lives change and go in to different directions. Unfortunately, we didn’t see each other for thirty years.
Then one day in 1987, my late husband and I went to Hawaii. We were getting off the boat on Kauai just as Lauren was getting on! We took one look, immediately recognized each other and it was as though time had never passed
We picked up where we left off. I learned that during those past years, Lauren had a very sad and difficult time. She married a few times, had gotten into drugs and alcohol, became a call girl and at one point, was even homeless. As a child, she had been molested and her life was filled with tragedies.
No one knew about the sadness and turmoil she was going through and after the TV series ended she fell into a deep depression. How she recovered was nothing short of miraculous.
By the time I saw her again in 1987, she had completely turned her life around. Lauren become a spokesperson for addiction and recovery. She also became a licensed and ordained evangelist.
Sadly in the last few years, she fell victim to cancer. Through it all, she was brave, courageous, strong, and her faith was unwavering.
Her daughter Summer (who calls me Aunt Bev) contacted me the day before she died to say that Lauren wanted to say goodbye. I will forever cherish those last words where we were able to say I love you.
In life, we sometimes meet people who will pass through our lives and whom we will never see again. Then there are some who you become acquainted with and will become a friend.
But then there are a few who leave footprints on your heart; the ones that become lifelong friends and you consider them “family.” For the past 39 years we were “sisters.” That is who Lauren was.
Her heart was filled with love and kindness, and her faith as strong as anyone I have ever known. Lauren loved life, her children, family, animals and … fans. I know my life will forever have a little hole in it for her.
Lauren’s last wish was to have her name on a remembrance site in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. If you wish to donate to help make that dream come true, please go to:
GoFundMe.com under Lauren Chapin Legacy.
Until next time remember…. Beyond the clouds, there are a thousand rainbows.
