The 1952 Miss America, Colleen Kay Hutchins Vandeweghe, died last month at 83 years old. And what a class act she was!In an article about her death I read a great story that is worth repeating. Apparently she didn't even tell her children that she was a former Miss America! Her two daughters "stumbled on that tidbit when they found a scrapbook and the trophy hidden in a closet."
"We were flabbergasted," her daughter said.
Her family said they watched the Miss America pageant every year, but until the girls discovery they never knew why!
"But even watching it, her mother didn't really talk about winning," the daughter said. "She didn't want us to think that defined who she was or that that was important in life."
What a cool lady! Can you imagine that kind of humility! What an inspiring person; many winners would parade their crown & memorabilia as a shrine for all to take note!
Because Vandeweghe was Mormon many people dubbed her the first Latter-day Saint media superstar! But after winning the pageant, she married, and was completely devoted to raising her four children, who all happened to excel in sports. Before their games their mother liked to remind them that "they weren't competing alone - Heavenly Father was right there beside them."
Like I said, what a classy lady!
