Post #165972 by freddiefreelance on Wed, Jun 15, 2005 12:35 PM

Lennon Sisters’ mom dies at 85

Published Wednesday, June 15, 2005
BRANSON (AP) - Isabelle "Sis" Lennon Miller, mother of the Lennon Sisters who starred on Lawrence Welk’s popular TV show in the 1950s, died last month at the age of 85. Her death of congestive heart failure in Branson on May 1 was announced yesterday by a Los Angeles-based publicist for the family.

The publicist, Sandi Padnos, said the death had not been made public earlier because of family concerns for privacy.

Padnos said a tribute to Miller is planned June 26 in the Los Angeles area but that the exact location was not being made public.

The Lennon Sisters - Dee Dee, Peggy, Kathy and Janet - made their national debut with Welk on his Christmas program in 1955. The girls - then 16, 14, 12 and 9 - soon became one of Welk’s most popular acts. They split from him in the late 1960s, and eventually had their own television show with Jimmy Durante.

Since 1994, the Lennons have been featured performers at The Welk Champagne Theatre in Branson.