A Marilyn Monroe fan pays her respects at the crypt of the Hollywood legend before a memorial service to mark the 50th anniversary of Monroe’s death at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles on August 5, 2012. Fifty years ago today, Norma Jeane Mortenson, better known as Marilyn Monroe, was found dead of a drug overdose in her Los Angeles home. AFP / ROBYN BECK
LOS ANGELES – Some 300 Marilyn Monroe fans gathered Sunday at the Los Angeles cemetery where she is buried, commemorating the iconic sex symbol on the 50th anniversary of her death.
Culminating a week of celebrations organized by various fan clubs, the ceremony was held at her final resting place in Westwood Village Memorial Park, a small patch of greenery between a parking lot and a residential part of the city.
Fans as well as friends and relatives paid homage to the actress, who died on August 5, 1962, from a barbiturate overdose at her home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood.
The hall where the tribute was held was too small to accommodate everyone, and so a white tent was erected among the trees where others could watch the ceremony via video transmission.
Most of the attendees listened attentively, standing and shielding their eyes from the blazing sun with programs that had been distributed.
Debbie Elder, a Monroe fan for 25 years, travelled to Los Angeles from her home in the faraway midwestern city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the week of tributes.
“She was such an icon. I don’t think people took her seriously at all. She really was a very serious actress,” Elder told AFP.
“One of the things I love most about her were her clothes. Nobody could wear clothes like her. She was so sexy,” Elder added, her voice calm yet full of emotion.
Monroe’s grave was covered with flowers, photos of the icon, as well as with messages and letters.
Several Monroe impersonators — both men and women – were also present.
While not among them, Christina Patchett from Nova Scotia, Canada, sported the icon’s signature platinum blonde hair.
Like Elder, Patchett had traced the star’s footsteps in old Hollywood during the week’s festivities.
Patchett divulged that she watches Monroe’s films “over and over and over,” never taking her eyes off the star.
“Has there been anyone since? Not really,” Patchett said. “There are beautiful women and actresses today, but no one like her.”