JIMMYLIVES.

"The banks of flowers covering the grave were muted and grayed by the coming of evening and had yielded up their color to the sunset. I thought — here’s where he belongs — with this big darkening sky and this air that is thirst-quenching as mountain water and this century of family around him and the cornfield crowding the meadow where his presence will be marked. But he’s not in the meadow. He’s out there in the corn. He’s hunting the winter’s rabbit and the summer’s catfish. He has a hand on little Mark’s shoulder and a sudden kiss for you. And he has my laughter echoing his own at the great big jokes he saw and showed to me — and he’s here, living and vivid and unforgettable forever, far too mischievous to lie down long."

Credit

Anna Maria Pierangeli

Dean’s first Hollywood love, Pier Angeli was an Italian actress who had previously starred in films such as Teresa, The Story of Three Loves, and The Silver Chalice. She was briefly engaged to Kirk Douglas in the early 50’s. She met Dean while she was filming Chalice, and he Eden. Their relationship was brief, but very emotional and involved. The relationship ended after many complications, including his desire to return to New York, her mother’s strong disapproval, among their other differences.

Pier Angeli married Vic Damone in 1954, which lasted only 4 years. They had a son named Perry in 1955. She married her second husband Armando Trovaioli in 1962 , with whom she had her son Andrew. They divorced in 1969.

Pier’s acting career seemed up and down throughout her life, with notable roles in Somebody Up There Likes Me, The Vintage, and The Angry Silence.

Pier Angeli died on September 10, 1971 of a barbiturate overdose, of which was assumed accidental. She was only 39 years old.

After her death an interview and letter were released in which she claimed that James Dean was the only man she ever loved.

*Great Pier blog!: http://signorinapierangeli.tumblr.com/