I don't think that was Shari Lewis (Sonia Phyllis Hurwitz), who voiced the puppet "Lamb Chop." I think that was Sherri Finkbine, a "Romper Room" TV host.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/26/newsid_3039000/3039322.stm
Yes. You are correct. In 1961 I would have been 13. It was the first time I ever knew about abortion.