Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

"The World is Your Ballroom," was the spirit in 1925, when Shirley Ann McCully was born to Hazel and Ernest McCully, in San Jose. Ann was the second born in the McCully family. She joined sister, Virginia, who was only a few years older. Early on, her father worked hard for the railroad. Her mother, Hazel, saw an open canvas to nurture her daughters' talents and allow them to grow. Soon, the family moved to an apartment in Hollywood. Both Virginia and Ann were quickly noticed for their young talents. Ann started singing and dancing at the age two and by the age of six, she was in the movies. She spent her whole childhood working in film and doing what she loved to do. Her talents were many: Acting, Singing, Tap Dancing, Ballet, and playing the violin. She and her sister attended professional schools on the studio lot, which included a variety of training. Ann was soon a starlet in every sense of the word.

At the age of 9, she was co-starring in Mack Sennett comedies. Her mother was with her every step of the way, while her sister also worked on movies. One time, when the studio found a new young talent who needed a ride to the studio, they asked Ann's mother to drive her. The new gal's name was Ava Gardner. This was just part of the studio system at the time. Everyone knew everyone else. The family lived off Hollywood Boulevard and at night they'd go for a walk along the Boulevard. Many people from the studios took walks in the evening and it was a tight knit community. People always liked Ann for her kindness. Ann's stage name soon became Anne Rooney. The longest contract she signed for was a seven year agreement, when she was only 16 years old, but she also had many other studio contracts with MGM, Universal, and Warner Brothers. Ann sang with Eddie Fisher at the Copacabana and soon went on to co-star with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in "Babes on Broadway," in 1941. Many of the publicity shots for the film were taken featuring Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, and Ann. Her wonderful talents led to more film work during the 1940's: "Calling Dr. Gillespie," "For Me and My Gal," "Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour," "Follow the Band," "Always a Bridesmaid," "Slightly Terrific," "Freddie Steps Out," and "High School Hero." Ann always loved performing, giving back to others. In fact, in 1945, she took part in a USO Tour during World War II. Ann departed Seattle and performed throughout many of the South Pacific Islands. The troops loved her so much, one of the squadrons voted her their favorite pinup girl. Ann was proud of her work for the troops because she knew in her heart she was meant to help others through her talents.

There was so much more ahead for Ann. She was married in 1947 to a restaurateur, Jerry Brooks. In 1948, she and her husband welcomed the birth of their son, Steven, at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. They were thrilled. When Steve was five years old, the couple grew apart and divorced. But, Ann was always supportive of Steve's interests. She took him fishing many times to the Santa Monica Pier. She also drove him up the coast in her light green, Plymouth, and rented him a fishing pole off Morro Bay. Steve caught a huge halibut with that rented pole. Ann also supported Steve in his interest in sports, especially baseball. Ann's artistic talents also rubbed off on Steve, as he developed a love for photography. She was so proud when Steve landed a job after high school doing Set Photography at NBC. Like mother, like son, in many ways. Steve enhanced his abilities by graduating from the Brooks Institute of Photography. After what Ann went through in her childhood, though, she wanted to make sure that Steve had stability. She brought Steve into her world. She worked as an Escrow Officer later in life and rededicated herself to a new career in real estate. Ann gave Steve his start and together they built a solid, family business. She continued to work for decades. She also married Vincent Nuccio twice during a 25 year period of time. Like any relationship, it had its ups and downs, but the bottom line was that she loved him very much.

Ann was surrounded by good friends throughout her life. She remained active and ultimately accomplished things before the age of 30, that people dream of their entire lives. She also had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. Her favorite singer was Frank Sinatra, especially the song, "It Happened in Monterey." Ann enjoyed the beach and sometimes collected seashells. The hardest part of her life was getting older, but the best part of her life was her son, Steve, and her time in show business. Liza Minnelli once said: "Thank God for film. It can capture a performance and hold it right there forever. And if anyone says to you, 'Who was he?' or, 'Who was she?' or, 'What made them so good?' I think a piece of film answers that question better than any words I know of." Late at night, part of KCET's signoff, is a war time picture of Walter Pigeon, Anne Rooney, and other stars on a caboose waving. The nice thing to note is that Ann remains on film for decades to come but her accomplishments went well beyond: She will be remembered as a loving wife, a wonderful mother to Steve, a business woman, and a trusted friend. Her final words to her son were: "Have a wonderful time..." An amazing sentiment to apply to go on living our own lives. May Ann rest in peace...