Editorial: A heart bigger than the biggest screen

Fame and fortune intoxicate some celebrities into believing they’ve become experts in arenas where their opinions actually deserve no more attention or consideration than any average Joe’s or Joanne’s. Usually less.

Anna Pearce was different.

Beautifully, joyfully, tearfully different.

Today’s front-page story and columnist Kerri Thoreson’s tribute to her friend, better known as Patty Duke, will give you some insight into the incredible life lived by this talented, courageous woman. Here’s what we’ll remember.

Nearly a decade ago, Anna’s nephew, Mike Kennedy, arranged a lunch at Tito Macaroni’s. The Press editor and his wife represented the newspaper informally; Mike joined his aunt. Ninety minutes after meeting two complete strangers, Anna initiated the hugs. She was nobody’s star looking down on mere mortals; she didn’t share her opinion on climate change or foreign policy or the economy. She was self-deprecating, funny as hell and stunningly inspirational because she was so sincere and so understated. Through her eyes, four friends had simply come together for a nice lunch and a mutual celebration of life in North Idaho.

When Anna wrote or spoke publicly about what she knew, people had to listen. The challenges she experienced in her life, that she overcame, have reduced countless human beings to emotional rubble. They’ve killed many others.

For Anna Pearce, acting may have been her passion, but helping was her mission.

In Tuesday morning’s Press news meeting, when editors and reporters discuss the stories they’ll be working on that day, a young reporter admitted that he didn’t know who Patty Duke/Anna Pearce was.

Anna was an international celebrity, but that was superficial. She was so much more than that.

Anna was North Idaho’s most compassionate citizen.