Ann Sullivan, a long-running Disney animator who worked on classic movies including Pocahontas, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid, died from coronavirus at a nursing home.
Sullivan was a veteran Disney animator who was residing at the Motion Picture and Television Fund nursing home prior to her death on Monday.
The 91-year-old has dedicated decades of her life to bringing famous characters from Disney classics to life through animation.
Unfortunately, Sullivan became the third person at the nursing facility for those who worked in the entertainment industry to die from COVID-19.
The first two people to pass away from COVID-19 at the nursing home were 80-year-old actor Allen Garfield and 64-year-old John Breier, the spouse of a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
While plenty of nursing facilities around the U.S. have reported coronavirus cases and deaths within their walls, the Motion Picture and Television Fund’s CEO and president Bob Beitcher insisted residents can be better provided for at their facility than they would at private residences.
“[It is] unrealistic for families to provide the same level of care as they get here,” Beitcher allegedly said.
“Many are quite ill, have multiple co-morbidities, and require around-the-clock caregiving. And the dislocation of moving them could be the end in itself.”
Speaking of the tragic passing and the current situation to Deadline, Beitcher expressed:
“There are good days and bad days. This was one of the bad days. I expect there will be more before we get through the tunnel.
“We’ve got people working very long hours under stressful conditions, providing not only incredible care, but constant communication with family members.”
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