The Death of Fred Astaire

When Fred Astaire’s first wife died in 1954, I was working for Stanley Medeiros’ Flowers in Beverly Hills. The Astaires were customers of the shop so we expected to hear from some family member about floral arrangements for Mrs. Astaire’s funeral.

Imagine our surprise the next afternoon when a car pulled up in front of the shop and discharged the Astaire daughter, Ava. In she marched, all 10 or 11 years of her, very proper in her afternoon frock and white gloves. While we stood there all agape, she announced that her father had asked her to come to the shop and order for the services for him, which she proceeded to do with a presence far beyond her years (her hand shook as she signed the order--we did not notice).

A month after the funeral, Mr. Astaire came in and thanked each of us for our help and courtesy toward his daughter, shaking our hands as he did so.

I’ve never forgotten those moments because they represent something you don’t see too often in this town--real class.

CHRIS MARCONI

Los Angeles