On June 29, 2002 around 6 p.m. Rosemary lost her battle with cancer and went home to be with her sister Betty.

See Obituaries Page

Rosemary Clooney Suffers Relapse

AP Fri Jun 28, 8:56 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Rosemary Clooney was resting at her home after suffering a recurrence of lung cancer, her publicist said Friday.

The 74-year-old singer and actress was briefly hospitalized earlier this month, but is now at home with her family and friends, spokeswoman Linda Dozoretz said.

Clooney had surgery for lung cancer last January and doctors thought the operation went so well they didn't recommend chemotherapy or radiation.

Dozoretz declined to discuss the singer's prognosis.

Clooney had a string of popular songs in the early 1950s including the smash "Come On-A My House." She also appeared in numerous films, including a co-starring role opposite Bing Crosby in the 1954 classic "White Christmas."

She hosted "The Rosemary Clooney Show" in the mid-1950s and has made frequent guest appearances on TV shows, including a brief recurring role in 1994 opposite her nephew George Clooney in the hospital drama "ER."

In February, she released the CD "Rosemary Clooney: Sentimental Journey."

FROM E!ONLINE NEWS

Rosemary Clooney's Cancer Relapse

by Josh Grossberg - Jun 27, 2002, 11:45 AM PT

Rosemary Clooney is ailing.

The veteran entertainer, known for her jazzy hits and such film roles as 1954's classic White Christmas with Bing Crosby, was hospitalized briefly this month after suffering a setback in her battle with lung cancer. She is now continuing her treatment at home, her publicist confirmed.

"It's very serious. But she's hanging in there," says spokeswoman Linda Dozoretz.

Clooney, 74, initially underwent cancer surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota in January to remove the upper lobe of her left lung.

A series of infections delayed her recovery, and she remained hospitalized until May. The singer-actress and aunt of George Clooney was finally given the okay to return home to Beverly Hills after doctors deemed her fit enough to resume singing and performing.

However, Clooney, a longtime smoker, checked back into the hospital after relapsing earlier this month. Her publicist says Clooney returned home from the hospital about two or three weeks ago.

No further information on her condition was available, according to Dozoretz, who did note that Clooney's family--including her husband, dancer Dante Di Paolo, actor Miguel Ferrer (her son with first husband José Ferrer) and her brother (and George's father), Nick--has been by her side.

One of the last of the noted "Girl Singers," Clooney rose to fame alongside Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington and Doris Day, all of whom fronted full-fledged orchestras during World War II.

Clooney chalked up numerous hit singles in the '40s and '50s, including the chart-topper "Come On-a My House," as well as "Hey There," "This Ole House" and "If Teardrops Were Pennies." Last year she released a new studio album with her big band titled Sentimental Journey. In February, she was honored with a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement.

She has also earned two Emmy nominations--one for her own TV series, the Rosemary Clooney Show, which ran from 1956 through 1957, and another for her guest spot on nephew George's ER in 1994.

"Singer Rosemary Clooney Suffers Cancer Relapse"

Reuters, June 26, 2002

LOS ANGELES -- Singer and actress Rosemary Clooney was briefly hospitalized this month and is undergoing treatment at home for a recurrence of lung cancer, her publicist said on Wednesday.

"She's comfortable and she's surrounded by her family," spokeswoman Linda Dozoretz said of the 74-year-old entertainer, who also is the aunt of actor George Clooney.

She declined to discuss the singer's prognosis but added, "She's an eternal optimist, she really is."

Clooney's relapse was first reported by Daily Variety's senior columnist, Army Archerd.

Clooney underwent surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota in January to have the upper lope of her left lung removed, and her agents said then that doctors expected her to resume her recording and performing career in the near future.

The entertainer starred in the 1954 film classic "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby, hosted a TV series and recorded a number of hit singles, beginning in 1951 with "Come On-a My House."

Excerpt from Army Archerd's column

Variety, June 26, 2002

I am sorry to tell you that Rosemary Clooney is again undergoing treatment.

She was hospitalized briefly earlier this month and is now at home continuing treatment. She underwent lung cancer surgery at the Mayo Clinic in January and was finally released and returned home in May, where her family has been regularly at her side.

Excerpt from Nick Clooney's column

Cincinnati Post, May 17, 2002

On that same trip to California, Nina and I were able to drop by and see Rosemary and Dante. For those who don't know her recent history, here's a little background:

Rosemary had a major operation in January. She has kept nothing about it secret. It was cancer of the lung. She came through the operation with flying colors, but the recovery process was slow.

The surgeons at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., had been so successful that there was no need for chemo or radiation, but a series of infections slowed the recuperation to a snail's pace.

Finally, Rosemary was cleared to go home a couple of weeks back and when we saw her in her own room, she looked much more comfortable.

Those who know her will not be surprised to hear that she is impatient to be up and about. "I've got to get back to work," she said to me. "I've been doing nothing but running up bills. It's time to start paying them off."

Spoken like a true Depression baby.

5/14/02
From Army Archerd's Column in Daily Variety

Rosemary Clooney, who underwent lung cancer surgery at the Mayo Clinic, is finally home in Beverly Hills, where she spent Mother's Day with her children and grandchildren. She's undergoing rehab and is confident she will be able to perform again.

5/7/02

Clooney home from hospital

By Peggy Kreimer, Kentucky Post staff reporter

Singer Rosemary Clooney was discharged from Mayor Clinic and is recuperating from lung surgery at her Beverly Hills home.

''We saw her over the weekend and she's doing great,'' said her sister-in-law, Nina Clooney of Augusta.

''She spends most of her time sitting in a chair, but she gets up and walks around. She's recovering from a long illness.

''Coming home has been wonderful.''

A routine physical exam in January revealed Rosemary Clooney had lung cancer. She underwent surgery on Jan. 11 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Doctors removed the upper lobe of her left lung.

Rosemary Clooney, who turns 74 on May 23, received the lifetime achievement Grammy Award in Fe bruary.

She grew up in Maysville and maintains a home in Augusta.

5/3/02 - According to Rosemary's son Miguel (stars in Crossing Jordan), who appeared on THE VIEW on Friday, May 3rd - Rosemary was released from the Mayo Clinic and is now back home in California to continue her recovery.

4/11/02 - A member of Rosemary's family confirms that she is still at St. Mary's at The Mayo Clinic.

4/3/02 - Rochester Post Bulletin

Singer Clooney remains hospitalized

Singer Rosemary Clooney remains in good condition at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, a Mayo Clinic spokesperson said today.

A road trip to visit Rosemary [3-22-02]
It had been a long drive. Who was the numbskull who planned the trip so that we would find ourselves on the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago at 4 o'clock on a Friday afternoon? Oh, that's right. It was Nick. Oh, well.

Anyway, after spending an hour and half in downtown Chicago, the rest of the drive was relatively easy. Just get on Interstate 90 and point the car west until a sign says ''Rochester.''

What comes to your mind when I say ''Rochester''?

A famous city in upstate New York? A lead character in a Bronte novel? Eddie Anderson's unforgettable butler on the Jack Benny show?

Some of you will have a different image. Rochester, Minnesota, home of the world-famous Mayo Clinic. People come to Rochester from every corner of the globe for check-ups, diagnoses and various kinds of treatment.

It is where my sister Rosemary has been since early January. The operation was, thank heaven, a complete success.

The recovery phase has not been as quick as we all had hoped, but there have been no major setbacks and it appears that Rosemary will be able to go home in a couple of weeks.

Still, I hadn't seen her since she came out from the anesthetic on January 10th and, despite daily phone calls, I missed her. So Nina and I cleared our schedule and headed northwest right after my radio show on Friday.

Now we were sitting in the hospital room talking to Rosemary and Dante about the past, the present and the future and, as usual when the four of us get together, each time period was a cause for many laughs. Solicitous nurses looked in occasionally to see if we had gone bonkers simultaneously. The diagnosis is not yet in.

It is, perhaps, not necessary to tell you what a marvelous place Mayo Medical Center is. Rosemary is in St. Mary's Hospital. which is, if I understand correctly, the place where the Mayo phenomenon began.

In the 1850s an area pioneer, George Head, named the emerging Minnesota community Rochester after his home town in New York. Thirty years later, in 1883, a killer tornado struck the town. Dr. William Mayo opened a makeshift emergency room to treat the injured.

Days later, the local community of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi went to Dr. Mayo for help in starting St. Mary's Hospital. They started a great deal more than that.

The Mayo Medical Center is a complex of hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers and other medical facilities that covers much of the town. There are skywalks and subwalks to connect them in inclement Minnesota weather. There are enough major hotels to serve a city 10 times the size of Rochester and all are needed to serve the transient population.

The brilliant staff, the ''team'' approach, the continuing infusion of fine young physicians keep Mayo on the cutting edge of 21st-century medicine.

But, as always, the history, the expertise, the technology, eventually come down to one patient in one bed. In this case, one of the nation's greatest popular singers is in that bed, but it could be anyone, including you or me.

Rosemary's sense of humor is intact. She has needed it and will need it yet. And there is Dante, without whom she would not have made it. He has not left her side except to sleep, or to shop for things to make her more comfortable. He and Rosemary banter as they always do - we call it ''the Rose and Dante Show'' - and he keeps her spirits up.

It has been an ordeal, but it is one faced by many families every day. Rosemary has more support than most and she and Dante specifically asked me to thank you for your prayers and good wishes.

The Mayo medical team saved Rosemary's life. The recovery is up to her. Her resilience. Her courage.

Which means it is in good hands.

3-14-02 - From Rosemary's publicist:

"Rosemary is still at the Mayo Clinic and improving every day."

By KELLY SUDZINA
2-27-02  - Staff Writer - Maysville's Ledger Independent

Rosemary Clooney’s oldest son, Miguel Ferrer, will accept her Lifetime Achievement Award tonight at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards.

The girl singer will not be able to appear in person due to lung surgery she underwent Jan. 11. The upper lobe of her left lung was removed the day after she was diagnosed with lung cancer during a regular physical exam at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

The Rochester Post Bulletin reported Fri-day Clooney’s condition was upgraded to “good and continues to improve daily,” according to a clinic spokesman. Her family members living in the Buffalo Trace area have said Clooney’s condition has improved with each day, and she was able to talk and sing shortly after the surgery.

“She’s doing fine. It’s a very slow recovery because it was very serious,” said Rosemary Clooney’s sister-in-law Nina Clooney.

She said Rosemary Clooney, 73, may be released from the Mayo Clinic as early as March 3 and will likely return to her home in Los Angeles.

Nina Clooney said Rosemary will be watching the Grammys from her room at the clinic with her husband Dante DiPaolo, who has remained at her side throughout her hospital stay.

Clooney is one of five performers selected to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the recording academy. The other four are: Perry Como, Al Green, Joni Mitchell and Count Basie. The award honors lifelong artistic contributions to the recording medium. The recording academy said Clooney is “ranked among the finest jazz-based vo-calists in American music.”

She has also been nominated this year for best traditional pop vocal album for “Sentimental Journey – The Girl Singer and Her New Big Band.” If she wins tonight, it will be her first Grammy, although she was also nominated in 1997 for traditional pop performance.

“Obviously we think it should happen for her, but those things are very much up for grabs,” Nina Clooney said.

However, she said Rosemary is excited about the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“She just thinks it’s wonderful,” Nina Clooney said.

Singer Clooney in good condition

Friday, February 22, 2002 - From staff reports - Rochester Post Bulletin

Singer Rosemary Clooney's condition has been upgraded to good and continues to improve daily, according to a Mayo Clinic spokesman.

She underwent lung cancer surgery in January and had the upper part of her left lung removed after she was diagnosed with cancer during a regular physical exam at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Rosemary Clooney's special honor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff report

Rosemary Clooney's recent surgery for lung cancer will keep her from appearing at the Grammy ceremony next week to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The family has decided that the singer's oldest son, Miguel Ferrer, will accept the award.

Ms. Clooney is slowly, but surely, recovering from the surgery.

''Her progress has been nothing but steps forward, no steps back,'' said her brother Nick Clooney. ''The problems she's had are just a question of recovering from major surgery at the age of 73.''

Clooney said doctors are convinced they removed all the malignancy and expect her to fully recover in ''absence of any unforeseen problems.''

Ms. Clooney is expected to be released in about 10 days from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., according to her brother. She had the upper lobe of her left lung removed Jan. 11.

Ms. Clooney will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, incredibly the first Grammy Award she's ever received in her celebrated career.

This year she's up for best traditional pop vocal album for ''Sentimental Journey - The Girl Singer and Her New Big Band.'' She also was nominated in 1997 for traditional pop performance.

Publication date: 02-21-02

Her husband Dante - who just had a birthday himself Monday - is with her all the time and her children take turns visiting. She is grateful beyond words for your concern and prayers. So are all the rest of the family.

2-6-02
According to Rosemary's publicist:
Rosemary is still at the Mayo Clinic, but she is improving all the time.

From the Rochester, Minnesot Post Bulletin 1-21-02

Rosemary Clooney's condition improves

The condition of singer Rosemary Clooney, who underwent lung cancer surgery in Rochester earlier this month, has been upgraded to fair, according to a Mayo Clinic spokesman.

Clooney had the upper lobe of her left lung removed after being diagnosed with cancer during a regular physical exam.

She is scheduled to appear at the Feb. 27 Grammy Awards; she is nominated for her first Grammy and will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rochester Minnesota Post Bulletin - Friday, January 18, 2002

Clooney's condition upgraded

Mayo Clinic doctors have upgraded singer Rosemary Clooney to serious condition. The 73-year-old entertainer underwent lung-cancer surgery in Rochester last week. Mayo Clinic spokesman John Murphy said that "when I talked to her doctors, they said she's doing better. She's making significant progress." Clooney was previously listed in critical condition.

From Army Archerd's column for Variety, Posted: Thurs., Jan. 17, 2002, 5:07pm PT for print Fri., Jan. 18, 2002

UPDATE ON ROSEMARY CLOONEY: She is sitting up in the I.T.C. unit at the Mayo Clinic and her condition upgraded to "serious." Her appearance at the Grammy Awards, Feb. 27 is still "iffy." Although a recipient this year of a Lifetime award, she's never won one--and is again nominated &ldots;

A long trip to be with Rosemary

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By now many of you will have read the reports about my sister Rosemary and the major operation she has undergone at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Rosemary has fans all over the world, but in this area she also has friends and relatives, so the interest in her condition is, perhaps, even higher here. As of this writing, she continues to improve. Perhaps there would also be some interest in the wild travel scramble occasioned by Rosemary's illness, particularly given the more stringent travel restrictions in recent months.

The family knew Rosemary had a problem in early December. A checkup at Mayo revealed a ''shadow'' on one lung. This was not good news for a 73-year-old who had just given up smoking a few years ago. The medical hope was that it would turn out to be a case of ''resolving pneumonia,'' but that was a hope, not a diagnosis, and more tests were needed.

As usual, the confluence of events was not convenient. For instance, Nina and I were to host a trip to Hawaii for our friends Herb and Susie Reisenfeld of Provident Travel and we were to leave on Jan. 9th. Rosemary's tests were to be conducted Jan. 7th, the results evaluated on the 8th and a conference held with Rosemary and her husband Dante on the 9th, the day of our departure.

Of course, if there was to be surgery, I intended to be there when my sister woke up. That was the top priority. On the other hand, Nina and I took our duties as hosts seriously. People spend a considerable amount of money on a trip like this - perhaps the trip of a lifetime - and they have a right to expect us to be there.

So we decided to start on the trip. The consultation might not result in surgery - there were other options. Even if there were to be surgery, it might not be scheduled for days or even longer.

Early on the morning of the 9th, as we were about to leave, I called Dante, who told me the conference was set for 2:30 that afternoon. Juggling time zones, Central (for Rochester), Eastern (for Cincinnati) and Pacific (for Los Angeles, where we would connect for Hawaii), it seemes to me that a meeting ending at about 3 p.m. would give me a chance to call from L.A. and, if surgery were scheduled immediately, to short-stop my trip, turn around and head to Minnesota.

Off we went. Very few delays at security, nice flight west. At the terminal in L.A., I called Dante, who told me the conference was delayed until 4:30 or 5 p.m. By then I would be en route to Maui. Darn.

Since I didn't really know anything yet, I didn't tell my fellow tourists about the possible dilemma. As soon as we arrived in Hawaii - about which I wrote in Wednesday's column - I contacted Rosemary and Dante. Sure enough, surgery was decided upon and it would take place early the next morning, Friday.

The quick turnaround might not have been possible without Herb's help. Nina would stay behind with the group. At breakfast next morning, I filled them in and they sent me off with good wishes and prayers. I said I'd get back if I could. Hawaiian Air got me to Honolulu, then it was a Northwest 747 non-stop to Minneapolis, a rental car to Rochester, 75 miles away. A long trip.

I didn't make my goal of being there when Rosemary's eyes opened, but I didn't miss it by much. Fortunately, Dante was there and so were her daughters Maria and Monsita and her longtime manager Allen Sviridoff. They had spoken to her. When I went in, she smiled in recognition. I said something outrageous and she laughed, then took her mask off to give me a kiss. Suddenly the trip didn't seem so long.

Among her surgical team was young Dr. C. Mark Bazzell of the University of Kentucky. He fielded our questions graciously, then I asked, ''Are you surprised at her remarkable progress?'' ''No,'' he answered with a small smile. ''We're very good, Mr. Clooney.''

They certainly are. So, two days later, I drove through a snowstorm, boarded another Northwest 747 and Hawaiian Air 737 and joined Nina and the group, now on Kauai, just in time for Monday dinner. I was exhausted, but carried good news.

Back to Hawaiian adventures Monday.

ACCORDING TO NICK CLOONEY'S COLUMN
IN THE CINCINNATI POST 1-16-02

Editor's note: Nick Clooney was making preparations to head for Hawaii when he learned that his sister, Rosemary, would require surgery. Nick is now in Hawaii, traveling with a group of Greater Cincinnatians. Nick says he spoke to his sister and that she is ''strong and recuperating remarkably well.'' He'll write more on that in his upcoming columns.

Travelers not phased by terror..................

So, we're in Hawaii, a group of us, staying at hotels that are only three-quarters full, walking beaches that are not crowded and having a very fine time. As you will see in subsequent columns, after I bring you up to date on my sister Rosemary.

Tuesday January 15 2:31 AM ET

Archerd: Clooney in the clear

By Army Archerd, Daily Variety Senior Columnist

Rosemary Clooney is progressing well post-lung cancer surgery, and doctors say, ``We've got it all.''

It is anticipated she will not even require any post-op treatment. At least that's what her manager-associate for 23 years, Allen Svirdoff, told me Monday evening as he departed the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Rosie had been an annual checkup patient at Mayo, but this year was unable to check a persistent cough for several weeks and feared she might have pneumonia. Mayo doctors spotted a ``shadow'' on her lungs last Thursday; they conducted a scan and decided on surgery Friday morning.

She was able to speak to family members at 2 that afternoon. Among those who winged in were husband Dante Di Paolo, children Maria, Monsita and Gabriel and brother Nick. Her nephew George Clooney is directing in Montreal, but has been on the phone constantly. It's hoped she will be able to attend the Grammys Feb. 27 to receive her Lifetime Achievement Award.

18:00 EST 01-14-02

Flowers, cards and gifts may be sent to Rosemary Clooney at 1216 Second Street Southwest, Rochester, Minnesota, 55902.

Rosemary can't receive flowers and things in the intensive care unit, but should items arrive for her, they would be placed "in a certain area" for her to see once she's out of ICU.

It's been reported that she is doing very well. Doctor's expect a full recovery and they believe "they got it all."

Dante reported that "It's going to be really okay. Everyone's going to be happy."

Clooney on minds of family, friends

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Peggy Kreimer, Cincinnati Post staff reporter

Word that Kentucky's favorite daughter Rosemary Clooney has lung cancer spread quickly after her agent's public announcement on Sunday. But in her hometown of Maysville, friends, neighbors and strangers had been praying for her for weeks. They just hadn't been talking about it, because that's not what you do with family.

Rev. Bill Hinds, who performed her wedding in 1997 at St. Patrick's Church in Maysville, had added Ms. Clooney to the church prayer list weeks ago, but he listed her as ''anonymous'' out of respect for her privacy.

''We'll switch that to 'Rosemary' this weekend,'' he said after Sunday's announcement.

Ms. Clooney underwent surgery on Friday at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where surgeons removed the upper lobe of her left lung. Her daughters Maria and Monsita, son Gabriel and husband Dante DiPaolo were there and she was talking and laughing with family on Saturday, said her manager. She is expected to be in the hospital until the end of January.

City Manager Dennis Redmond said he had heard that family members were concerned for her health and that she was going to the Mayo Clinic for an operation.

''We've known about that and been very concerned,'' he said. ''But we felt she and her family should not be inundated with questions and hoopla. We heard rumors a few weeks ago. We just felt it was imperative that things said to us privately stayed private. That's how you handle a personal crisis.''

To the small river town, Rosemary Clooney is one of the family. Now she's one of the family who's in a fight for her life, and the whole family is going to be in it with her, Redmond said.

''It's obvious our prayers have been with her. From this point forward, our good wishes will be expanded on and may be more public.''

When Rosemary Clooney returned to Maysville to get married to Dante DiPaolo in 1997, businesses put her name on marquees and in shop windows and well-wishers packed the church.

But Ms. Clooney never really left her home town and home state for good. Throughout her career as a singer and actress, she proudly proclaimed Maysville as her home. She regularly visited family and for years has maintained a home in nearby Augusta, where her brother, Nick Clooney, lives.

For the past three years, Ms. Clooney has returned to Maysville every September for the Rosemary Clooney Music Festival - which raises money to help restore the town's historic Russell Theater.

The festival has raised thousands, but not a penny went to Rosemary. Her appearances have always been a gift to the city.

She has been an ambassador for the town and for the state for years, providing free publicity, goodwill concerts, and genuine mutual admiration and affection. It's a relationship that makes her illness a personal blow to fans and friends.

''She's a tremendous natural resource,'' said Redmond.

''There are not many times I've seen her on the media when she's not only been an ambassador for Maysville and Augusta, but for the entire state,'' he said.

State Tourism spokeswoman Jayne McClew called the Clooneys the state's ''First Family.''

Last year, Ms. Clooney performed at the Southern Governors Conference at the request of Gov. Paul Patton, who hosted the meeting.

''She is quintessentially Kentucky,'' Ms. McClew said. ''We have Kentucky food, Kentucky bourbon and Rosemary Clooney.''

For years, her production company was ''Maysville Productions.'' She touts her hometown and Kentucky roots in concerts from New York to California.

As a rising movie star in 1953, she insisted that her film ''The Stars are Singing,'' be premiered in Maysville.

''It would be a tragedy if anything happened to her. But it would first be a personal tragedy,'' said Redmond.

''She is our greatest ambassador. But that's not why we're concerned. We're first very concerned about Rosie. She's the walking, living person that we know. When she's in town, we see her and her husband buying groceries. You run into her on the street. She's part of the town family. They know Rosie, or they really believe they know her,'' he said.

Now that the news is out about her illness, Redmond said he expects Ms. Clooney to be inundated with well- wishes. ''Rosie has given so much to this town. and the only thing she's ever asked us for is friendship and love,'' Redmond said.

''Maysville has a lot of history. We have a lot of culture. And we have Rosie.''

Lung cancer a top killer for women
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Cindy Starr, Cincinnati Post staff reporter 1-15-02

When Rosemary Clooney was born 73 years ago, lung cancer in women was a rarity. Fewer than five women in 100,000 died of lung cancer in any given year then. When Ms. Clooney was diagnosed with lung cancer last week, however, she joined an ever-growing army of women who have developed the disease.

Today more than 30 out of every 100,000 women die of lung cancer every year, according to the American Cancer Society, and the rate is still climbing.

The rise in female mortality from lung cancer is directly linked to the rise in smoking among women, health experts say. Ms. Clooney quit smoking in the mid-1990s after smoking for 49 years.

On Monday, Ms. Clooney remained in serious condition at the at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., said spokesman John Murphy. She had the upper lobe of her left lung removed there Friday. The cancer was discovered the day before during a regular physical exam.

''She's doing well,'' Murphy said. ''Serious condition is not unexpected for this time following that surgery.'' The extent of Ms. Clooney's cancer and how it was discovered - whether by x-ray or spiral CT scan - have not been made public.

The surgical treatment she received, though, traditionally has been used to help patients with early-stage disease, said Dr. Michael Cross, an oncologist and medical director of radiation at the St. Luke Hospitals and St. Elizabeth Medical Center. The fact that doctors removed part of the lung, rather than the entire lung, he said, ''probably points to an earlier stage.''

The five-year survival rate for all stages of lung cancer combined is only 14 percent. The five-year survival rate for tumors that are smaller than two centimeters and have not spread is 80 percent.

''But her bout with lung cancer may help bring to the forefront the need for us all to work hard in the fight against this deadly disease,'' said Gary Crum, Ph.D., Public Health Director for the North ern Kentucky Health Department. ''Cancer of the colon, breast, prostate, and pancreas combined do not kill as many Kentuckians each year as lung cancer.''

The American Cancer Society estimated that 3,200 men and women would die of lung cancer in Kentucky in 2001 and that 3,400 new cases would be diagnosed.

Only about 5 percent of lung cancer victims are nonsmokers, Crum said.

Meanwhile, a Cincinnati-based foundation that reaches 40 markets will address lung cancer for the first time at its annual conference in March.

''We think it's a myth that breast cancer is the No. 1 killer of women,'' said Dianne Dunkelman, president of Speaking of Women's Health. ''Actually, lung cancer is the No. 1 (cancer) killer. We want to encourage women to quit smoking.''

''Eight hours after a smoker quits, carbon monoxide in the blood drops to normal,'' Ms. Dunkelman said. ''Twenty-four hours after quitting, the chance of a heart attack decreases. . . . Ten years after quitting, the lung cancer death rate is half that of a continuing smoker.''

Cross said he has seen the incidence of lung cancer in women rise during his 11 years in private practice.

''I think we've seen the peak of lung cancer incidence in men and probably women will peak a little later, because smoking among women occurred later,'' he said. ''I think over the next five to 10 years, we will see the incidence in men and women come down as the incidence in smoking has come down.''

Tuesday, 15 January, 2002, 12:29 GMT
Singer Clooney has cancer surgery
BBC NEWS

Husband Dante DiPaulo has been at Clooney's bedside

Jazz and ballad singer Rosemary Clooney has undergone surgery for lung cancer, her agent has revealed.

The 73-year-old former TV personality had the upper lobe of her left lung removed on Friday.

She had been diagnosed with lung cancer the previous day during a routine check-up.

Clooney's agent, Allen Sviridoff, said the aunt of screen heartthrob George Clooney was talking and laughing with her family the day after the surgery.

Surgeons at the Mayo clinic in Minnesota were quoted as saying the singer would be able to honour her recording and performing commitments "in the near future".

Her publicist, Linda Dozoretz, said the prognosis for Clooney's recovery was good, and her heart was strong.

"She is expected to be hospitalised for approximately 10 more days, and should be able to return home around the end of January."

Dozoretz said it was too soon to say whether Clooney would be able to attend the Grammy awards in Los Angeles on 27 February.

Clooney shot to fame in the Bing Crosby film White Christmas, in 1954

She is nominated to receive her first Grammy - best traditional pop vocal album for Sentimental Journey: The Girl Singer and her Big Band.

She is also scheduled to receive a lifetime achievement award.

Clooney shot to fame in the 1950s with her appearance in the film White Christmas, with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen.

She remains best known for her jazz and popular songs of the 1950s.

Rosemary Clooney undergoes surgery

By KELLY SUDZINA 1-15-02

Staff Writer - THE MAYSVILLE, KENTUCKY LEDGER-INDEPENDENT

Maysville native Rosemary Clooney is recuperating at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., after undergoing surgery for lung cancer over the weekend.

Her agent told The Associated Press the operations was successful and that she was talking and laughing with her family on Saturday, the day after the surgery.

Clooney, 73, had the upper lobe of her left lung removed on Friday. She was diagnosed with lung cancer the previous day during a regular physical exam, the Associated Press reported.

“She has been a bit under the weather lately,” said her cousin Ben Breslin of Maysville, who was waiting to hear from the family members who are with her in Minnesota. Nick Clooney, Rosemary’s brother, was not available for comment Monday.

Breslin was unable to say whether the surgery would affect future performances Clooney may have planned.

Clooney is one of five performers selected to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the recording academy.

She, and fellow recording artists Perry Como, Al Green and Joni Mitchell and pianist and band leader Count Basie will receive the award during the 44th annual Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles. The recording academy gives the award to honor lifelong artistic contributions to the recording medium.

The recording academy said Clooney is “ranked among the finest jazz-based vocalists in American music.” Clooney began her career singing duets with her sister Betty for WLW radio in Cincinnati at age 16.

She signed with Columbia Records as a soloist in 1950, and scored four No. 1 singles early that decade. She has collaborated with artists such as Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Bing Crosby. Her song “Hey There” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

Clooney is also noted as a television and film personality. Her movies include “White Christmas” and “The Stars Are Singing,” which premiered in 1953 at Maysville’s Russell Theatre.

Rosemary Clooney Undergoes Cancer Surgery

ROCHESTER, Minn. (Reuters) - Singer and actress Rosemary Clooney was reported in serious condition at the Mayo Clinic on Monday following lung cancer surgery.

"She's doing well," a spokesman for the clinic said of the 73-year-old entertainer, who is also the aunt of actor George Clooney.

Her agent issued a statement in Los Angeles saying the upper lobe of Clooney's left lung was removed on Friday in a successful operation. She was likely to be released from the clinic next week.

"The day after the surgery she was already talking and laughing with (her family), even though she is still in intensive care," the statement said.

Clooney starred in 1954's "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby, hosted a TV series and had a number of hit singles, beginning in 1951 with "Come On-a My House."

She was scheduled to appear at the Grammy ceremonies on Feb. 27 to receive a lifetime achievement award. Her agents said it was too soon to determine if she would make that appearance but doctors "are confident she will be able to resume her recording and performing career in near future."

13:29 01-14-02

Monday January 14 2:44 PM ET

Rosemary Clooney undergoes cancer surgery

ROCHESTER, Minn. (Reuters) - Singer and actress Rosemary Clooney was reported in serious condition at the Mayo Clinic Monday following lung cancer surgery.

``She's doing well,'' a spokesman for the clinic said of the 73-year-old entertainer, who is also the aunt of actor George Clooney.

Her agent issued a statement in Los Angeles saying the upper lobe of Clooney's left lung was removed Friday in a successful operation. She was likely to be released from the clinic next week.

``The day after the surgery she was already talking and laughing with (her family), even though she is still in intensive care,'' the statement said.

Clooney starred in 1954's ``White Christmas'' with Bing Crosby, hosted a TV series and had a number of hit singles, beginning in 1951 with ``Come On-a My House.''

She was scheduled to appear at the Grammy ceremonies on Feb. 27 to receive a lifetime achievement award. Her agents said it was too soon to determine if she would make that appearance but doctors ``are confident she will be able to resume her recording and performing career in near future.''

Reuters/Variety REUTERS

Monday January 14 9:28 AM ET

Rosemary Clooney Has Lung Surgery

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) - Rosemary Clooney has undergone successful lung cancer surgery at the Mayo Clinic, her agent said.

The 73-year-old singer and former TV personality had the upper lobe of her left lung removed on Friday. She was diagnosed with lung cancer the previous day during a regular physical exam.

Clooney's agent, Allen Sviridoff, said Sunday that she was talking and laughing with her family the day after the surgery. She's expected to be hospitalized about 10 more days.

Clooney was scheduled to appear at the Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Feb. 27, where she's nominated to win her first Grammy and is scheduled to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

She's up for best traditional pop vocal album for ``Sentimental Journey - The Girl Singer and Her New Big Band.'' She also was nominated for the award in 1997 for traditional pop vocal performance.