Donnelly, Patricia (c. 1920–)

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Donnelly, Patricia (c. 1920–)

Miss America. Born Mary Patricia Donnelly c. 1920 in Durand, Michigan; married a newspaper editor; children: 2, both journalists.

Named Miss America (1939), representing Michigan; spent several years with husband Robin as a traveling editor for the Hearst newspaper syndicate. Throat cancer surgery left her unable to speak (1986); subsequent surgery restored voice (1987).

See also Frank Deford, There She Is (Viking, 1971).

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