Athena DeLima placed a bouquet of roses amid an array of other floral arrangements, then leaned over and kissed the bronze name plate on Marilyn Monroe’s crypt.
The 20-year-old, not even born when Monroe died of a drug overdose on August 5, 1962, was one of hundreds of fans keeping the Hollywood sex symbol’s legend alive with a visit to Westwood Village Memorial Park on Monday, the 40th anniversary of the actress’ death.
”She’s still alive to me. I keep her alive by collecting pictures of her and watching her movies,” said DeLima, who drove two hours to pay tribute.
Cards and posters left by fans accompanied the dozens of other floral bouquets that sat below the crypt. The largest arrangement was from Monroe’s friend Robert Slatzer, who wrote the book ”The Life and Curious Death of Marilyn Monroe” and who, like many of Monroe’s fans, has never been satisfied with the official cause of death, suicide.
Forty white long-stemmed roses made up the large wreath and bordered a black and white photo of a pensive-looking Monroe.
”She loved all flowers, but white roses were her favourite,” said Slatzer (75). ”I’ll always remember her laughing, smiling and being considerate of other people. When you became her friend, you became her friend for life.”
Slatzer has been a strong proponent of reopening investigations into the death of Monroe, who was rumoured to have been having an affair with President John F. Kennedy shortly before she died at age 36.
Whatever the circumstances of her death, she continues to captivate fans of all ages, who cite her blonde beauty and her ability to project an air of both innocence and sexuality.
Fans will take most of their posters back home with them, but flowers and other items left at the crypt will stay at least a week, said Kathy Boyett, the memorial park’s general manager.
Normally, cemetery employees don’t speak to the media and filming isn’t allowed inside the premises. Except for one day a year.
”Can you imagine trying to stop this?” Boyett asked. ”There’s no way, so we just welcome it and are glad to be a part of it.” – Sapa-AP