Anne Whitfield, 'White Christmas' Actress, Dead at 85
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Anne Whitfield, best known for her role as Susan in White Christmas, has died. She was 85.
According to her obituary, Whitfield passed on Feb. 15, 2024, after "suffering an unexpected accident while on a walk in her neighborhood" in Washington state. She was surrounded by her family in the hospital, an opportunity they thank her neighbors for. "Through the kindness of neighbors who provided expert medical support, family had the gift to say goodbye and express love and gratitude, a gift we will always cherish."
The actress was born to an arts-centered family in Oxford, Mississippi on Aug. 27, 1938. Her father was the Orchestra and Marching Band Director at University of Mississippi, as well; as a band director in the Army, while her mother, who would go on to serve as her agent and acting coach, was a speech and drama professor. While her father was deployed during World War II, 4-year-old Whitfield and her mother moved to Hollywood.
She began with old-time radio, landing long-running roles in "The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show" and "One Man’s Family." At 15, she was cast in White Christmas, which celebrated its 70th anniversary this past holiday season, and went on to guest star on a number of prominent series, including Days of Our Lives, Emergency!, and Bonanza.
She left the industry in the '70s and went on to earn her Bachelor's in Communications in her 40s, which she used to develop programs to fight pollution and secure the quality of water. She was also a fierce advocate for fighting climate change, fair electoral systems, women’s rights, and countless other causes.
For her 85th birthday, she took a trip to Italy with a friend to hike the Dolomite Mountains of the Italian Alps, and often hiked around Mount Rainier with her son, even after two hip replacements. She was a world traveler and had also gone hiking in Nepal, Iceland, Peru, Switzerland, and more. She'd also taken her five oldest grandchildren on "Nonnie Trips" to show each one of them a different country, and was planning trips for her youngest two in the days leading up to her death.
Whitfield is survived by her three children, Julie, Evan, and Allison, and seven grandchildren.
A celebration of life for family and friends, set to include an afternoon potluck, has been scheduled for Friday, Mar. 22.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to a charity of your choice in honor of Whitfield, who supported countless charities (most recently including Heifer International, International Rescue Committee, and Sierra Club, as well as helping to support a large family living in Tanzania), or by planting a memorial tree through The Tribute Store.
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