Dear Waltons Fans,

I have only just learned today, the sad news that Ellen Corby passed away this week. It is one of those times that I have been very grateful for the Internet, because there has been no mention of her death over here in our newspapers. Thank you to those of you who have written to let me know of her sad passing. Since I have had many letters about her passing, I have decided to have this digest as a special tribute to this wonderful actress and brave woman, and have held any other letters over for the regular digest which will come during the week. I have also edited some comments from letters to include in this tribute, and will include the entire letter in the next digest.

I feel a little like John Boy when he said in one episode that he had a block and the words just wouldn't flow. As Grandma Walton, Ellen Corby has been a part of many of our lives, since the early 1970's. For some who have followed her long film career, it is even longer than that. As viewers, we have seen her watch the Walton children growing up, helping them on their way to adulthood. We have listened as she passed on her heritage of stories to John Boy, so that they could live eternally. We have suffered with her as she struggled back from her stroke, trying to overcome her disabilities and remain a valuable member of her family. How many viewers could forget her first episode when she returned to the Walton fold after her stroke, and the frustrations she felt. What about Grandpa's joy at having his "old woman" back by his side again.

There are so many wonderful Grandma Walton moments that come to mind as I write this. In "The Prize" I remember her taking her quilt in to be judged at the county fair, and insisting that another on display was one from several years ago. I recall her looking terribly grim every time the Baldwin sisters were mentioned. I can see her in "The Sermon" trying to tell John Boy how to preach his sermon. Every time I think of this episode, I can see her banging on the dresser and dropping her notes all over the floor. I can see her up on the mountain with Zeb, and she keeps moving his hand away from her leg when he puts it there, until finally she reaches out, takes it and puts it back there once more. I remember all the times she has looked so proudly at others in the Walton family: Olivia and John renewing their vows, going with John Boy to see Boatright University, seeing the marriages of her grandchildren.

We all have our special memories of Grandma Walton, and the wonderful actress who played her for so many years. She will continue to live on our TV screens for as long as The Waltons is shown, and she will live on in the hearts of Waltons fans forever.

My sympathies go to Ellen Corby's family and friends, and of course, The Waltons cast and crew. I believe that she will be sadly missed by all whose lives she touched. Judging from the articles on The Waltons which I've been reading recently, she was well loved by the child actors of the show, and many of them seem to have kept in touch with her.

Goodnight Grandma and Ellen. Thank you for sharing your acting gift with us all and making Grandma Walton someone who we all grew to know and love so much.

Rest in peace,

Karen.

Dear Karen,

I just wanted to let you know about our dear Ellen Corby. On April 14 around midnight she passed away. My heart is deeply saddened and I know the world will mourn the loss of this precious lady. She loved her fans!!!! I'll be in touch with you later.

Take Care, Carolyn

Ellen Corby, Grandma Walton, died April 14.

There will be no services at her request.

Sorry to bring sad news.

Donald

Hi Karen,

I'm sitting here in my room on a Friday night and I just heard that Ellen Corby has died. May she rest in peace. Good night, Grandma.

Cordially,

Marty.

Hi Karen, me again.

This is the story that I just read on Reuter's news about Grandma.

Yahoo! News Entertainment Headlines

Friday April 16 6:33 PM ET

Ellen Corby, grandma on "The Waltons," dies LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Emmy-winning actress Ellen Corby, who played spinsters and prim neighbors but was best known as the grandmother on the hit 1970s series ``The Waltons,'' has died at age 87, hospital officials said Friday.

Corby, who was born Ellen Hansen in Racine, Wis., died Wednesday at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in the Los Angeles suburb of Woodland Hills, a hospital spokeswoman said. The actress was known to most U.S. television audiences as the loving, no-nonsense Grandma Walton, matriarch of a close-knit, Depression-era family in rural Virginia. She won three Emmys for her work in that role in 1973, 1975 and 1976.

"The Waltons" was not Corby's first series. She appeared on CBS's "Trackdown" in the late 1950s and on NBC's "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" in the mid-1960s.

She also appeared in more than 100 feature films -- including "It's a Wonderful Life," "Sabrina" and "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte" - and earned an Academy Award nomination for her part in the 1948 film version of "I Remember Mama."

Reuters/Variety

Marty.

Here's the URL for a site that will tell you EVERYTHING you want to know about Ellen Corby.

http://us.imdb.com/Name?Corby,+Ellen

Goodnite, Grandma.

Marty.

Dear Karen and Walton Fans

Well today is a very sad day for all of us Walton Fans on hearing the news of Ellen Corby passing. I will always be grateful that I had the chance to meet and talk to her. Yes I said talk to her, even though she could only say a few words, she certainly had a way of communicating with me. I will also cherish my video and pictures take with her back in Sept/97 at the 25 Anniversary Reunion in Hollywood. We will certainly miss her. Entertainment Tonight will be having a tribute to her. Wish you all could see it.

Well I should close as I have a lot of email to answer. Soo Thanks again everyone for your kind thoughts and prays.

Sincerely Dot P

Hi Karen.

I swear this will be all from me. I'm a member of a Frank Sinatra email listserv. I noted that Ellen appeared with Frank in "Four for Texas" and posted this to that listserv tonight. You can post this if you want. Grandpa and Grandma were my FAVORITE members of the Waltons and in large part the reason I watched. It's hard knowing both of them are gone, now, even though Ellen has obviously had a long full life.

It never ceases to amaze me how the gods "smile down upon us."

Tonight, on American Movie Classics, "4 for Texas" was broadcast. Of course, we know Frank and Dean were in that movie. But also, Ellen Corby, known to most of us as "Grandma Walton," starred. I just heard she passed away this evening. As a die-hard "The Waltons" fan, may I be the first to offer my condolences to her family and say "May she rest in Peace."

Good nite, Grandma.

Sinatrally,

Marty