IN MEMORIAM

P. 326-328. IN MEMORIAM: WACJ Remembers KATHARINE H. HEPBURN (1907-2003).One of the world’s most accomplished actresses. Winner of four Academy Awards. Katharine Hepburn was born and raised in Hartford and West Hartford. She was the daughter of Katharine  Houghton Hepburn, a member of the rich and socially prominent family that founded the Corning Glass Works and an active supporter of women's rights, and Dr. Thomas Hepburn, a prominent surgeon. The second of five children, Katharine was bright and independent and excelled in athletics. She became interested in the theater at an early age, and at 8, she dramatized Uncle Tom's Cabin, cast it with neighborhood children and presented it in the tiny theater that her father had built for her in the back yard.

P.329-331. BOB HOPE: WACJ Remembers BOB HOPE, THE IMMORTAL (1903-2003). For a man who played third billing to Siamese twins and trained seals, Bob Hope has become the most recognized profile and talent in the world. And, in the entire history of show business, no individual has traveled so far -- so often -- to entertain so many. Hope's entertainment persona has been evident in every decade of the 20th century -- from impersonating Charlie Chaplin in front of the firehouse in Cleveland in 1909, to celebrating an unprecedented sixty year with NBC in 1996.

P.332. Gregory Peck: When there was talk earlier this year of the Oscars being postponed because of the war in Iraq, there were many references to a previous cancellation, in 1968, following the assassination of Martin Luther King. The then president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who announced the postponement, said that it was "the only appropriate gesture of respect" and made it clear that a film awards ceremony paled beside the tragedy of Dr King's death. The president was Gregory Peck, whose espousal of liberal causes and opposition to racism and anti-Semitism were reflected in a number of roles he played. Throughout his life, he always stressed that his roles on screen were just parts that he played and did not compare with the true heroics of such men as Dr King whom he admired so much. Now he has died, aged 87, fellow members of the industry around the world have paid tribute both to his body of work and his modest and laconic style. Peck was already in his mid-20s when he finally decided to embark on a career in acting. Born in southern California, in La Jolla, his father was a pharmacist of Irish descent, who separated from his mother when Peck was only six.

P.333-336. IN MEMORIAM: THE QUEEN OF SALSA, CELIA CRUZ IS DEAD! "I don't want to say that we've lost Celia because her music, her spirit and her 'azucar' will always be with us," said Cuban-born singer Gloria Estefan, referring to Cruz's exuberant shout of "azucar", Spanish for "sugar". I am sad and I miss her a lot," said a 72-year-old exile who identified himself only as Mr. Martinez. He had traveled the 225 miles from his home in Orlando, Florida, to attend a church service in Cruz's honor on ...