Jan. 18, 1965 - The soprano voice of Jeannette MacDonald drifted across the slopes of Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif., this afternoon as movie stars and civic figures attended services for the late singer and actress.
A crowd of nearly 400 admirers of Miss MacDonald, who died Thursday, listened to the services outside the small Church of the Recessional, which was filled with 250 of her friends.
During the services, Miss MacDonald’s recorded voice was heard singing “Ave Maria” and “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life,” and the music was carried by loudspeaker to the crowds outside.
Miss MacDonald died of a heart ailment at Methodist Hospital, Houston. Her husband of 27 years, actor Gene Raymond, was with her at her death.
Crowds started arriving over an hour early for today’s funeral. Onlookers repeatedly pressed forward to catch a glimpse of arriving celebrities.
Barry Goldwater, tanned and trim, drew the loudest cheers as he stepped from a limousine and hurried toward the church accompanied by his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Holt.
Greer Garson, pale and drawn, arrived alone attired in a black dress and broad-brimmed black hat. Mary Pickford, small and slightly stooped, and her husband, Buddy Rogers, rushed quickly past the gawkers.
Nelson Eddy, who co-starred in many of Miss MacDonald’s films, arrived with his wife. Also on hand were Jane Powell, Reginald Denny, Irene Dunne, José Iturbi, Buddy Ebsen, Jack Oakie, Virginia Grey, and Lloyd Nolan, among others.
The pallbearers included Mr. Goldwater, actor Leon Ames, songwriter Meredith Willson, and Gen. Lauris Norstad, president of the Owens-Corning Corporation.
Mr. Nolan, who starred with Miss MacDonald in her final film, “The Sun Comes Up,” delivered the eulogy, praising Miss MacDonald’s courage and devotion to music. The key to her success, he said, resided in her warmth and love of humanity.
“When she sang, she sang to you,” the gray-haired actor said. “And through her songs, she sent her message of love.”

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