How wonderful !!! I do so love your photo's of your friends and your birthday parties and of course the ladies that lunch!!
I can't believe better will be 90! I hope you are still posting photo's when she is 100!!!
And Lee's Birthday too?!! What a very special time for you to have two such good friends to celebrate their birthdays together like that!!
Please give both Betty and Lee special birthday wishes from me..someone who admires them both.
Hugs to you Naomi for sharing them with us like you do.
How I wish you could be there with Betty at the bash, but I know you'll have a fantastic Thursday lunching with the ladies and celebrating more intimately at home. The food and decor is always so wonderful; I look forward to hearing more about it.
I didn't realize Betty was the neighbor on All In The Family. What a fun show! I loved her on Laverne & Shirley as well. If only I could see her in a play...
Your photos are wonderful, and this is quite a tribute to your 90 year old friend, who continues to look stunning, btw!
The Sarasota photo of you two is fantastic! The smile on both your faces say it all! I wish you many more happy times together.
What a wonderful tribute to an extraordinary lady.
Happy Birthday to Betty! enjoy a fantastic lunch, can't wait for those pictures.
Wonderfully done. I'm sure she'll be quite pleased with this heartfelt tribute.
BTW, my one and only trip to NYC to visit some of my wife's relatives was in 1989. I saw "Meet Me In St. Louis" and remember her performance.
Cheers.
What a great friendship you two have--I love reading about it and seeing it, ever since I first saw you two together up on that Sid Luckman stage in your beaded gowns years ago before I knew you. Betty is a one-of-a-kind person and talent (as are you) and I wish her so much health and happiness on her 90th. I was at her 80th bash and hope to make it to this one.
Take back your Samba, ay!,
Your Rumba, ay!, your Conga, ay-yi-yi!
I can't keep movin', ay!, my chassis, ay!,
Any longer, ay-yi-yi!
Now maybe Latins, ay!, in their middles, ay!,
Are built stronger, ay-yi-yi!
But all this takin' to the quakin'
And this makin' with the shakin'
Leaves me achin', olé!
What a wonderful tribute to a dear, dear friend! You certainly have written a great presentation here...I hope she gets to read it.
Have a wonderful day Thursday Ladies Who Lunch and I can't wait for the pictures!
Say hello to Lee too....I read recently that her first husband Frank Aletter died and that must be hard on her two daughters. I'm sure Lee is sad too. They were a beautiful family from the photos I've seen in the trades/mags of her family when they were raising her daughters.
Two wonderful women that you are soooo lucky to call "friend."
I am speachless ... what a wonderful tribute to a dear friend! Happy Birthday Betty!!!
Naomi,
I'm overwhelmed. Allmost wordless about the beauty of a 90 year "young" woman. (My mother is as well born in 1919).
I think about their wisdom and experiences - from the time when radios and phones were rare, even cars. And modern restrooms and electricity. TV was at that time unknown, but it was soundless movietheatres. For those that could pay for the tickets.
And all the others famous friends of yours.
It's so nice to see them as "regular" people. I think that's very important to be very private from time to time.
Regrettable it's a fact that as soon as your are "famous", private life is a real challenge.
I say: Like people without the ability to create and realize their dreams - they by "Lotto" coupons or use their hard work for dollars in Las Vegas
btw. I Hope you will publish all your very genuine memories. I'll be the first to buy that book.
PS. I'm still in a very mixed mood.
Read my last post.
I'll soon read more from your French Adventure back then. What a time. C'est la vie de la temps passé
How about framing it and giving it to her? Wonderful tribute that I am sure would bring a tear and a smile. Kind of a written hug.
You have met some amazing people but then they got to meet you. Sounds fair.
i agree it is a lovely tribute...it seems she has led a full life, maybe her secret of looking so great at 90!! you have lived a full life too..you are an inspiration to me!!! keep pressing on in spite of your health issues! it has been fun getting to know you on your blog!
Oh, Naomi, isn't it wonderful to have friends like Betty? What an incredible blessing you both have found in each other. To be so loyal to each other for so long is a tribute to BOTH of you!
Happy Birthday to Betty. Have wonderful lunch and I hope she has a super birthday. :)
I have loved Betty Garrett ever since I was a little girl and old enough to watch the movies that my Mum grew up on. Thank you for posting this wonderful birthday tribute Naomi! Betty is such a treasure!! Betty, may I wish you the happiest of birthdays and send you lots of warm birthday wishes all the way from Melbourne, Australia! Cheers! Linda xxx
Happy 90th birthday to your dear talented sweet friend Betty - and also Lee Meriwhether - may you all have a wonderful ladies who lunch celebration, Naomi :)
To be friends with someone with 47 years is a treasured relationship.
Hi Naomi,
What a lovely post about your dear friend Betty.
The two of you are gorgeous.
Brilliant to have been such good friends for so long.
Hope the lunch is very enjoyable.
Love,
Herrad
Happy Happy Happy 90th Birthday Dear Miss Betty! You wear it well!
**I am in awe that you knew Carroll O'Connor... he was one of my faves and I still mourn his passing :(
A truly beautiful tribute!
What a wonderful tribute to you very dear friend!
I wish I had a magic wand that would allow you to attend her big bash celebration.
I'm sure you are having a terrific day today, celebrating her b-day and Lee Meriwether's b-day.
I hope your ladies who lunch have a marvelous time of laughter and delicious food. I know all of you enjoy each other's company so much.
Your friendship with Betty is a very special thing.
I love that you've had a core of very close friends for many years.
I love that Betty lives with Garrett, Karen, and Maddie. What a joy to be surrounded by her family and her precious granddaughter.
Betty's smile is so genuine and attractive. It shines in every photo!
I love all the photos of you and Betty. Thanks so much for sharing all of them with us.
ENJOY today's party!!!!!
first I have to say how much I love seeing photos of you - it brings your voice to life for me and I see your amazing spirit - and you're so pretty
Happy Birthday Betty!!
I adored Betty in 'All in the Family' - such perfect comedic timing
I have loved her in everything she did - she exudes kindness and has one of the warmest smiles I have ever seen
Happy Birthday to Lee as well - another great lady
Hi Naomi, just a quick hello, I so love your photo's and stories, its been a very trying week here in NY, my friend Mauve, is laid off, although she has to be here for 90 days in order to collect severance. Unfournatly they are not done, waiting to gov. to finish deciding what's going to go and which programs are to stay. So again thank you for the smile. Pat from NY
How lucky you both are to have such a long lasting friendship. It speaks volumes about the two of you.
It's sad you can't attend the party but great that you can entertain her in your lovely home. What memories you must have.
What a smile she has - she must light up the room.
Happy Birthday Betty and thank you for all the joy you have given countless people over the years.
What a wonderful tribute to such a special person and friend to you!
From so many postings about Betty over the years I've known you, Naomi, I almost feel like I know Betty too.
As you know, I got her book, read it and loved it and when I mailed off a note to Betty to tell her so.....I was beyond thrilled to receive a personal hand-written note back from her! And OH, Yeah! I treasure that note and always will!
So please from me.....wish Betty a truly spectacular birthday on Saturday! Because she certainly deserves it. But also tell her...I still think she's fibbing about her age...lol She looks great!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETTY!
And thank you, Naomi, for sharing all of this with us. Can't wait to read about the luncheon today.
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net
What a wonderful birthday gift you've made for Betty in this photo journal with such a great selection of pictures from over the years (even one of Jeff Bridges, who I've had a crush on since I was a teenager). I remember Betty from All in the Family and now from your Ladies Lunches! Happy Birthday to her and thanks for this glimpse into the real life of an actress.
Naomi- Seems like yesterday you posted about Betty's last birthday. My how time flies. She has an incredible career for sure, and yes I agree, a national treasure in many ways!
Wow seems like a long way off but I hope she enjoys her b-day. Thanks for sharing it with us.. I love all the photo's.. It explains just who this person is and how special she is.
I just wanted to chime in and say how much I enjoyed reading the birthday tribute to your dear friend. Your observation that people who only know Betty from TV or the movies view her as a friend is certainly true of me. I first saw her on "All In the Family" and immediately fell in love with her character - Irene Lorenzo. I then saw several of her films and marveled at her effortless possession of the screen. I always felt that Betty seemed like a person that would be ever so much fun to know "in real life," and I'm so happy to learn through your blog that my impression was accurate. Many happy returns to Betty and many thanks to you for sharing your tribute to her with us.
Ann W.
Looks like a grand party! Happy birthday,Betty!
Naomi,
I was on my way here to tell you to wish Betty a happy birthday for me; I should have known that you would already have a post about her. She is still a beautiful woman and I can tell that she is as beautiful inside as she is out.
Betty looks great for 90!! What a lovely tribute you have written! I enjoyed seeing all the photos. I'll be looking forward to reading and seeing pictures from the luncheon!!
It's wonderful that you two have been such good friends for so long! I'll have to read her book now!!
Wonderful, wonderful tribute Naomi.
OH how wonderful, Seemah told us about her Birthday and you are such a wonderful friend blogging about her :D
Happy 90th Birthday to Betty and wishing her good health and happiness always :D
What a lovely lady, and what a thoughtful caring tribute to her. Ninety years and she is still going strong... how wonderful! Happy Birthday to a great lady of show biz! Enjoy hosting the birthday lunch, as you always do... and I am looking forward to seeing some pictures of you all.
And... FYI... no grandbaby yet! We are all still waiting, some of us patiently, some of us IMPATIENTLY!
Hey I thought I recognized your picture and indeed I have been here before; I don't know if you remember me.
Your I don't know her, bc I'm scribbling from across the Pond, but your friend is v beautiful and has a wonderful poise.
I've always thought acting would be a fun job to do (no idea whether I could do it ...(!!))
Aunty Em, I actually REMEMBERED it was dear Bettys birthday today and yesterday ( she gets two days because of the time difference)
Send her lots of love from New Zealand,I am still sad her leg was playing up and she couldn't come for lunch in December.
Birthday good wishes for the gorgeous Lee as well.She is still so stunning !
Hugs to you too and dear Sweetie love love always,:D
Happy Birthday to ALL the ladies who lunch. You are a role model of a friend.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETTY! How wonderful to be 90th birthday!
Naomi, you did a great tribute to a dear and lovely friend!
Happy birthday, Betty!
Thanks for sharing so many faces of her, Naomi! I only know her from "All in the Family".
Happy Birthday to Betty - All the way from Norway :-)
Wonderful post! I know you all had a fantastic lunch :)
And wow, Betty's granddaughter really favors her! You can see where those eyes came from.
Happy belated birthday wishes to Betty!
You know the one thing I notice from this post si that wonderful smile of hers in all the photos. It's absolutely radiant and has never lost any of it's shine over the years. In fact it seems to have gained some :)
What a wonderful life, great pictures and heart-warming memories. Thanks for sharing.
OH Naomi, that was such a wonderful tribute to your beautiful friend. There is nothing like being close to someone who exudes friendly kindness like you describe in Betty.
You exude it too.
I was thinking of how bittersweet it must've been for you to prepare this post....choosing the photos and reminiscing about the times and celebrations knowing that some are only there in spirit and memory. Photos and memories are sacred passages and as much as the feelings are intense....it's all good no matter what the feelings are....to have been touched by such love of friendship is a gift of abundance.
Can you imagine life without knowing that feeling?
What a fabulous tribute to such a dear friend! Betty is obviously beautiful both inside and out. The two of you are so lucky to have such a wonderful, full friendship of so many years. I can only wish for something close to what the two of you share. Your friendship is beautiful.
That was a beautiful tribute to a friend of many years. Its says so much about her but even more about you. Wonderful!
From Spain, dear Betty, a lot of love........you are beatiful.And sensacional artist, a real star.
Maribel Martínez Éder
I just heard about Betty Garrett's passing. As a fan, I went online to reminisce. Thank you for sharing your personal stories of friendship with Ms. Garrett. They are warm, inspiring, and honor her memory with such great, great love. I'm sorry you've lost such an amazing friend, but I'm so happy for you, too. You were a great friend to a beautiful person.
i remember her
: )
Name: OldOldLady Of The Hills
Location: Los Angeles, California