NEW YORK - Annette Funicello, who became a child star as a perky, cute-as-a-button Mouseketeer on "The Mickey Mouse Club" in the 1950s, then teamed up with Frankie Avalon in a string of '60s ...

Now it's time to say goodbye to former Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. The singer, dancer and actress died April 8 at the age of 70, having battled multiple sclerosis for more than two decades.

I grew up with Annette Funicello. She was my favorite older girl on “The Mickey Mouse Club,” a friendly face with a sweet voice. She started on the show in 1955 at age 13, the only cast member ...