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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORIGINAL MOUSEKETEER KAREN PENDLETON


DIES AT 73

Los Angeles, CA, October 7, 2019 -- Karen Pendleton, one of the Mickey Mouse Club's
original Mouseketeers, died from a heart attack on Sunday, October 6, in Fresno, CA, at
age 73. Pendleton, among the youngest of the Mouseketeers, was best known for her
shoulder length blond curls and being paired with fellow Mouseketeer Cubby O'Brien in
the Mickey Mouse Club's show closing "Now it's time to say goodbye..." alma mater.
Pendleton appeared on Disney's classic children's television series throughout its four-
year run (1955-1959) on the ABC television network. The original Mickey Mouse Club
lived on in syndication for decades thereafter entertaining generations of children around
the world.

Pendleton was born in Glendale, CA, on August 6, 1946 to a non-show business family.
She was recruited to audition for the Mickey Mouse Club when Disney producers
approached dancing schools in the Los Angeles area seeking kids to try out for a spot on
their new children's television show. Pendleton won them over and became a
Mouseketeer, one of only nine that appeared on the show during its entire run.

Following her years on the Mickey Mouse Club, Pendleton left show business and

finished high school, married and had a daughter. In 1983 she was involved in a

devastating automobile accident that paralyzed her from the waist down. She spent the

rest of her life in a wheelchair. However, an eternal optimist, she rose up from that

situation and returned to school to earn a Bachelor's and Masters degree. She went on to

work at a shelter for battered women and became a staunch advocate for those with
disabilities serving on the Board for the California Association of the Physically

Handicapped.

Maintaining her long-time friendships with her fellow Mouseketeers, through the years

Pendleton also co-starred with them in many Mickey Mouse Club reunion shows and

parades at Disneyland and at Disney fan shows and conventions. Her daughter, Staci,

commented on how much the association with the Mickey Mouse Club meant to her

mother. "My mom loved her Mouseketeer family," she said. "Getting together with

them was always a high point. It gave her the opportunity to relive great memories and to

meet so many Mickey Mouse Club fans that watched the show as kids and loved her.

Many told her that they named their daughters 'Karen' in her honor."

Divorced, Pendleton resided in Fresno and is survived by her daughter, Staci Bletscher,

and two grandchildren.

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Contact:
Lorraine Santoli
Lsantoli@me.com
914.548.3705

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