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Remembering Jean Durkee: Read the obituary for Boston Romper Room’s ‘Miss Jean’
Www.boston.com ^ | 05/23/2023 | Heather Alterisio

Posted on 05/23/2023 6:34:42 AM PDT by massmike

Jean Durkee, known and beloved as “Miss Jean” of Boston’s version of the “Romper Room” television series from the late ’50s to the early ’70s, died Tuesday at the age of 90.

Born in Lynn and raised in Salem, Durkee started out her career teaching language arts and social studies and serving as the director of girls’ physical education at Lynnfield Jr. High School, before continuing on in Lynn where she taught students with physical disabilities in grades 1-6.

When given the opportunity to make the pivot from a traditional classroom to the television screen in 1958, Durkee “was nervous but excited about the opportunity to reach into homes, hearts and minds of preschool and kindergarten aged children in New England,” an obituary for the schoolteacher reads.

The dedicated teacher, whose maiden name is Dallaire, retired to Naples, Florida after WHDH lost its television license. She married Bruce Durkee, “with whom she shared 40 wonderful years,” the obituary notes.

(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: brucedurkee; florida; jeandurkee; missjean; naples; romperroom; whdh
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1 posted on 05/23/2023 6:34:42 AM PDT by massmike
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To: massmike

I remember her well.


2 posted on 05/23/2023 6:37:02 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (“You want it one way, but it's the other way”)
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To: massmike

Replaced by Teletubbies.

RIP


3 posted on 05/23/2023 6:37:23 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
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To: ClearCase_guy

I saw her years ago in a Christmas parade in Quincy. She was riding in a car with Willie Whistle.


4 posted on 05/23/2023 6:44:40 AM PDT by massmike (I'm only here to observe these earthlings.)
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To: massmike

I think my dad may have had an affair with that chick.


5 posted on 05/23/2023 6:46:20 AM PDT by Scarlett156 (My aluminum baseball bat keeps telling me it wants to talk to J3rry S3infeld. )
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To: massmike

Willie Whistle was portrayed by Dick Beach who also died at age 90 — in 2018. Those were good days for children’s TV in Boston.


6 posted on 05/23/2023 6:53:13 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (“You want it one way, but it's the other way”)
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To: ClearCase_guy

Unless I’m forgetting anyone,she was the last of that group: Major Mudd,Rex Trailer,Frank Avruch as Bozo, Captain Bob Cottle,Willie Whistle....


7 posted on 05/23/2023 7:01:36 AM PDT by massmike (I'm only here to observe these earthlings.)
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To: massmike

Growing up in Michigan, we used to watch “The Friendly Giant”, on Canadian TV.


8 posted on 05/23/2023 7:02:36 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: massmike

Near the end of the show they did a long travelling shot of submissions, and I got a piece of “art” on there when I was very young. Thrilled me. Of course, at that age it could have been anyone’s art. :^)


9 posted on 05/23/2023 7:08:44 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpin' -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: massmike
"Major Mudd,Rex Trailer,Frank Avruch as Bozo, Captain Bob Cottle,Willie Whistle...."

That was my time growing up. I would add Rex Trailer and Pancho, Big Brother and, for our southern neighbors, Salty Brine.

10 posted on 05/23/2023 7:09:10 AM PDT by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
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To: massmike

I remember her. RIP.


11 posted on 05/23/2023 7:18:24 AM PDT by left that other site (Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.)
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To: dfwgator

They used to show that in Boston,too!
“Look up! Look WAY up.....”


12 posted on 05/23/2023 7:18:25 AM PDT by massmike (I'm only here to observe these earthlings.)
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To: massmike

“Do be a do-bee.”


13 posted on 05/23/2023 7:57:58 AM PDT by Huskrrrr (Alinsky, you magnificent Bastard, I read your book!)
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To: massmike

Do be a do bee


14 posted on 05/23/2023 8:03:29 AM PDT by wardaddy (Truth is treason in the Empire of lies)
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To: billorites
I remember most of those shows as a kid. Romper Room, Rex Trailer, Captain Kangaroo, Mr. Rogers...

Sesame Street and Electric Company were just starting and were brand new shows when I watched them.

Rex Trailer used to have trips to California to visit Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland. I always wanted to go to one of those trips but my parents couldn't afford it.

15 posted on 05/23/2023 8:10:59 AM PDT by SamAdams76 (5,181,324 Truth | 87,174,230 Twitter)
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To: massmike

I may be mistaken,but I believe I read once that she had been the girlfriend of Harry Agganis


16 posted on 05/23/2023 9:15:08 AM PDT by massmike (I'm only here to observe these earthlings.)
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To: massmike

My kid siblings watched “Romper Room’’ a lot. “Think And Do Bee’’.

Just another reminder that the America we Freepers over fifty knew has vanished.


17 posted on 05/23/2023 11:06:30 AM PDT by jmacusa (Liberals. Too stupid to be idiots. )
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To: wardaddy
Can't help but wonder if "Do Bee" (doobie) and that swirling Magic Mirror were preparing our generation as a 'gateway'. Over at Captain Kangaroo we had Dancing Bear and farmer guy Mr. Green Jeans who only spoke cryptically. Totally trippy Clutch Cargo where the only true animations were real superimposed mouths? Clutch's boy accomplice named Spinner?

Dancing Cpt

Romper

Today's Leftist parents would sh!t bricks over this one. We need to re-instill patriotism and Godliness for the sake of our nation's future.

18 posted on 05/23/2023 12:33:13 PM PDT by MikelTackNailer
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To: MikelTackNailer

I thought about doobie too

SNL skit


19 posted on 05/23/2023 3:25:49 PM PDT by wardaddy (Truth is treason in the Empire of lies)
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To: Scarlett156

well, they did call it romper room...


20 posted on 05/23/2023 3:27:45 PM PDT by teeman8r (Armageddon won't be pretty, but it's not like it's the end of the world or something )
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