Vondell Darr

Vondell Darr

Vondell Darr Wilson (April 18, 1919 – September 10, 2012) was an American actress. She was born in Los Angeles. She achieved success in the late 1920s as a child actor and later played bit parts in her adult years. Her last role was in The Chocolate Soldier in 1941. Darr died on September 10, 2012.

From the age of five, Vondell was an accomplished child actress, featured in both silent and talking pictures, starring in such films as "On Trial", "The Dummy", "The Pony Express", "Uncle Tom's Cabin and "Scouts to the Rescue", working with Paramount, MGM and Warner Brother Studios. She continued her acting career through her teens, appearing in the "Andy Hardy" series.

Vondell's greatest passion in life was her husband and family. She met her adored husband, Fred, in high school at the age of 15, and they married in Catalina on July 8, 1941.

Throughout their 65-year marriage, Vondell was the supportive Naval wife during World War II and the Korean War, and the complementary partner and impeccable hostess for Fred, while he established and grew his career, entertaining politicians, business leaders and entertainment icons. She dedicated all her love, passion, energy and life to providing the perfect home for her husband and large family. She was devoted to her three daughters, six grandchildren, and her eight great-grandchildren.

Vondell was a gourmet cook, and always made every family gathering inviting, warm and loving, creating family traditions that we will treasure always. Vondell adored all beautiful things in nature, cherished time in her gardens in Encino, Rancho Mirage and Lake Arrowhead and walking her dogs. She enjoyed painting and playing bridge with her many friends at the Lake.

Her husband, Fred C. Wilson, Daughter Sharon Merz, son-in-law Ron Merz and grandson Billy Peschelt precede Vondell in death. She is survived by daughters Marlene (Joel) Friedman and Rhonda (Skip) Kozacik; grandchildren Stacy (Rob) Risbrough, Stephanie (David) Close and Brett (Erin) Merz, Trey and Kurt Kozacik; and great-grandchildren Katie, Emily and Madelyn Risbrough, Annie, Grace and Caroline Close, and Hayden and Molly Merz