The Matriarch of The Douglas Family (At Rest: November 23, 2009)

This is the second time I have stepped into fiction to post a memoriam to a fictional character. On today's episode of "The Bold and the Beautiful" the character of Ann Douglas died from complications due to advanced pancreatic cancer. Ann Douglas, of course, was played by the legendary Betty White. Since December 1, 2006 White has played Ann in 22 episodes of the soap. As I said Ann was introduced in December of 2006 as the long-lost mother of Stephanie Forrester (Susan Flannery). Stephanie travels to Chicago to visit Ann who is living with her other daughter Pamela (Alley Mills). Stephanie's then-husband Eric (John McCook) went with her. Stephanie had disowned her mother in 1976 because of the poor treatment she received from her father when she was a child. Stephanie asked that Ann explain why she allowed the abuse and Ann denied any abuse ever took place. Eric gives Ann a piece of his mind and then he and Stephanie return to LA. A few days later Ann and Pamela show up in LA and Ann admits the abuse and begs for Stephanie to forgive her. By the December 22, 2006 episode which was her tenth appearance Stephanie and Ann make amends. Ann returned for three episodes in February 2007, one in March 2007, one in October 2007, one in December 2007, one in August 2008 and one in October 2008. She returned most recently on November 18th and also appeared on the 19th, 20th and then made her final appearance on the 23rd. Betty White brought a great deal of depth to the role. If Ann Douglas had been played by anyone else I don't think she would've returned as often as she did. Betty White is a marvelous actress and I am sorry that her character has passed on. I think the writers and actors did a brilliant job of dealing with the storyline. I will miss Ann...very much. It was a great feeling always knowing that she might show up. And I don't think we've seen the last of her. Knowing that great sense of humor that Betty White has I bet you will see Ann show up as a ghost just to give her daughters a stern lecture. However, until that happens... In Memoriam Remembers: Ann Douglas