The Waltons star Mariclare Costello passed away on April 17, aged 90, after a long and storied career both on the screen and on the stage. The actress, who portrayed teacher Rosemary Hunter in the beloved series from 1972 to 1977, was surrounded by her family when she passed, including her daughter, Arin Arbus.
“Her gift was rare; she knew how to get people out of their own heads, focused on a task rather than on themselves, and in doing so helped them access their own creative voices,” her family tribute read.
“She was also, in every dimension of her life, someone who paid attention. She could talk to anyone, was interested in everything, and was a relentless asker of questions.”
“She loved stray animals, rescued bugs, fed birds, and knew that few pleasures in life rivaled a good curbside furniture find,” the tribute continued.
“She was a wonderful cook and wrapped presents with the kind of care that made the unwrapping its own event. She refinished countless floors and collected objects, letters, photographs, even used coffee cups, much to her husband and daughter’s dismay.”
“She made every space she inhabited more beautiful. Warm, curious, generous and tough, she had the constitution of an ox, was never sick, and was always up for an adventure, especially if she could show up a few minutes late, as was her general inclination,” the family quipped.
© Getty ImagesMariclare gained her master’s in theater and education from Catholic University before making her Broadway debut in Arthur Miller’s After the Fall. She would go on to act in eight more Broadway productions throughout the ’60s, including But For Whom Charlie, The Changeling, Tartuffe, Danton’s Death, The Country Wife, Lovers and Other Strangers, A Patriot for Me and Harvey.
Mariclare met her husband, Allan Arbus, during a theater class in the ’60s, and together they moved to Los Angeles to kickstart their onscreen careers. Allan nabbed a role as psychiatrist Dr Sidney Freedman on M*A*S*H, while his wife acted in Let’s Scare Jessica To Death and The Execution of Private Slovik.
© Getty ImagesShe also won several TV roles, like in Ironside, Kojak, Little House on the Prairie, Murder, She Wrote, Judging Amy, Shadow of the Blair Witch and Providence.
© Alamy Stock PhotoDuring her tenure on The Waltons, Mariclare portrayed Rosemary, the kindly teacher, who later married the town preacher, played by John Ritter. The Illinois native’s love of acting never faded, and she led the drama program at St. Paul the Apostle Elementary School later in life, as well as at Loyola Marymount University.
She also directed productions for Interact Theater and Homeboy Industries. Mariclare was married to Allan until his death in 2013, and together the pair welcomed a daughter, Arin Arbus. Arin was by her side when she passed, and the theater star is also survived by Arin’s partner, playwright Ethan Lipton, her granddaughter, Bird, stepdaughters Amy and Doon, and six nieces and a nephew.
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