Oscar-winning actress Jane Wyman dies; joined the church as an adult

Published: 2007-09-11

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (CNS) -- Oscar-winning actress Jane Wyman, once married to future president Ronald Reagan, joined the Catholic Church as an adult and became a benefactor to several Catholic causes. Wyman died Sept. 10 at her home in Rancho Mirage. The cause of death was not disclosed. While her age was placed at 90, other sources suggested she may have been 93. "The death of Jane Wyman marks the loss not only of a great actress, but a great woman of faith and a personal friend," said a Sept. 10 statement from Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of San Bernardino. "Her support of the work of the Catholic Church in the Coachella Valley and the Diocese of San Bernardino made possible many wonderful things, including the Blessed Junipero Serra House of Formation," Bishop Barnes said. Wyman also was a strong supporter of Hollywood's Covenant House and Our Lady of Angels Monastery. She also reportedly went to Mass with fellow Catholic actress Loretta Young, who died in 2000.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .