This final note on the way out. Another passing of a legendary woman, although for quite different reasons.

Annette Funicello died today. She was 70 years old. Had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987. Annette Funicello was America’s beach blanket sweetheart, and before that a Disney Mousketeer, who, for better or worse, helped pave the way for a bunch of other Mousketeers — Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilara among them.