RIP, June Cleaver

Barbara Billingsley, made most famous by her role as the mother in the American TV hit Leave It to Beaver, has died.

Billingsley had been out of the limelight for some time, having played parts of movies and in other shows on television. But it was as June Cleaver that most of America knew her. She was the understanding yet firm mother of Wally and Theodore and the wife of Ward. She was the epitome of the mid-20th Century American wife and mother. (She was so understanding, in fact, that she agreed to call her younger son by his nickname, Beaver.)

Beaver and Wally and their friends routinely got into trouble — not much of it serious — and Ward and June continually explained the need for thinking of consequences of actions before taking those actions. Sometimes the boys listened; other times, we had new episodes of Leave It to Beaver to watch.

To this day, I can remember laughing at Beaver as he walked around town while wearing a full-body rabbit costume.

To this day, I can remember the episode in which Beaver tried to pretend that he had eaten his Brussels sprouts but, in fact, had stuffed them in his shirt pocket.

To this day, I can remember how Wally learned a valuable lesson about workplace seniority by selling hot dogs.

The boys regaled their parents with slang as well. Things were "goofy." Astonishment gave way to "Gosh!" Excitement brought forth "Hot dog!"

The one thing that June especially but Ward as well provided for their boys was a mirror, which they would hold up occasionally, as it to say, "Do you realize just how much you're making of this little thing?" or "Do you realize how much I'm having to do to make amends for what you consider to be a tiny infraction?"

Another thing Wally and Beaver got from their parents was a lifetime supply of real and virtual hugs. Their parents were there for them, whenever and wherever. Oh, misbehavior might result in a lecture or a grounding, but the boys never felt like their parents were going to do more than that.

June Cleaver also was an ideal. Her hair seemed to be continually perfect and her clothes just so. She always looked like she could go to a dinner party at a moment's notice. (There was that ever-present pearl necklace, for one thing.) She was always there for the boys — literally, since even though she was involved in social pursuits, they took a back seat to her family.

Billingsley made June Cleaver believable, down-to-earth, and friendly. The actress will be missed, but her most famous character lives on.