The Empty Nest episode

[flossieskid]

When my Mom (Flossie) became very ill, Will Geer was kind enough to get one of The Walton calendars and went to almost everyone on the set that day and asked them to sign a get well note for my Mom on the pages of the calendar. Mom was in and out of consciousness at the hospital, but when I read her all the lovely notes of good wishes, she smiled. After her surgery, she was transferred to The Motion Picture Hospital in Calabasas, CA. When I went to visit my Mom the first time there, a nurse told me that my Mom’s room had been occupied by Ellen Corby, who was well enough to go home after her stroke snd months of rehab at the hospital. Small world!
Sadly, my Mom died on New Year’s Eve 1977. Claire Whitaker, the Executive Producer who often wrote Waltons episodes with her husband Rod Peterson, wore a lot of turquoise jewelry. I didn’t wear silver jewelry and my Mom had some turquoise jewelry. So, I decided to give Claire my Mom’s turquoise ring and bracelet. Without mentioning it to me, she wrote that scene into “The Empty Nest” where, after her death, Flossie’s niece sends Olivia a ring that she knows Flossie would want Olivia to have. It was such a lovely, touching surprise when I saw that episode. Then, many years later, when my daughter Nikki turned 16, Claire sent back the jewelry to Nikki so she would have something special from my Mom. I am still in touch with
dear Claire who is 93 now!

[Brenda]

What a touching story. I remember that scene in The Empty Nest when Olivia received the ring from Flossie’s niece. Thank you sharing the backstory to this scene. 

[Easton]

^ Indeed. It's just like Judy's 'Behind the Scenes' videos but more personal.

[jason88cubss]

Wow very touch and what  a great thing for WILL to do!

Truly showed how close everyone was!

[pinkbaker07]

Aww.

[AR15]

Thank you so much for sharing this story. It's nice to hear about how close knit everyone was behind the scenes.