Inspiration for 'Family Circus' character dies (Themla Keane)

[Blue_Tires]

Source: The Richmond Times-Dispatch (AP)

PHOENIX -- Thelma Keane, the inspiration for the Mommy character in the long-running "Family Circus" comic created by her husband, Bil Keane, has died. She was 82.

She died Friday of Alzheimer's disease, the family said.

"Family Circus," which Keane began drawing in 1960, depicts the good-humored life of two parents and their four children. It is now featured in about 1,500 newspapers, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

"She was the inspiration for all of my success," Bil Keane, 85, told The Associated Press from his home in Paradise Valley yesterday. "When the cartoon first appeared, she looked so much like Mommy that if she was in the supermarket pushing her cart around, people would come up to her and say, 'Aren't you the Mommy in "Family Circus?"' and she would admit it."



Read more: http://www.inrich.com/content/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-05-26-0059.html

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End of an era...I got a lot of chuckles from the Family Circus as a kid, and even more laughs as the 'Dysfunctional' Family Circus terrorized the internets...

[YOY]

1. I too prefer 'Dysfunctional' these days.

I'm no fan of Bill's shmultzy religious undertones strip but I wish him and his family well.

[TlalocW]

5. Interesting thing about Bill's religious undertones

Is that when he first started them back in the 60s, they had that era's religious conservatives all stirred up, believe it or not. It mainly had to do with the "non-respectful" questions the kids would ask about God, etc.

TlalocW

[Poll_Blind]

2. That's terrible. I found this Family Circus, it was my absolute favorite growing up:

  It was like 3 seasons of 'The Wonder Years' all rolled up into one image...

PB

[yellerpup]

3. RIP Thelma, a beautiful person

a beloved mother and an everyday muse for her cartooning family. My heart goes out to the Keane family.

[Kajsa]

4. I always enjoyed 'Family Circus'.

Rest in Peace, Mrs. Keane.