RIP Rosanna Huffman
Los Angeles Times
May 27, 2016
August 12, 1938 - May 20, 2016 Rosanna Levinson, nee Huffman, passed away on May 20, 2016 at her home in Santa Monica, CA. After a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, she decided not to seek treatment but instead to spend her final days at home with the family she loved, her cat Happy, and Turner Classic Movies. Even through her illness Rosanna kept her wicked sense of humor.
Rosanna was born in 1938 in Timblane, a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania, to Doras and Christine Huffman, followed later by her beloved brother Joe. Despite not knowing the rules of any sport, Rosanna was her high school's head cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. She put herself through two years of teaching college before moving to New York with the dream of singing on Broadway. She promptly did, landing the lead role in "Half a Sixpence."
She met television writer Richard Levinson at a party and after multiple proposals, she finally said yes. The two were married, moved to Los Angeles, and had one daughter, Chrissy. Rosanna continued to act in Los Angeles, both on stage and screen. She played the lead role in the critically acclaimed musical "Jane Heights" and worked as a voiceover artist for nearly 30 years in both film and television.
After losing her adored husband Richard to a heart attack when she was only 47, Rosanna raised their daughter with joy, love, and endless support. No one had more fun than she did, and the friends who filled her life were equally joyful and cherished. Before she died, she made clear that she would desperately miss seeing her grandchildren, Leo and Margot, grow into adults; she would miss her nightly calls with her daughter; she would miss Christmas dinner, but she also made clear that it was her time, and that she was ready to go.
Her service will be private, but if you wish to make a donation in her name, she was a big supporter of The Humane Society. The sun will shine a little less bright without her, but Rosanna would rather have you sing than cry. So hum a little tune for her.
HUFFMAN, Rosanna
Born: August 12, 1938, Timblane, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Died: May 20, 2016 Santa Monica, California, U.S.A.
Rosanna Huffman’s western – actress:
The Big Valley (TV) – 1967 (Martha Dunn)