Long before she stood in front of cameras and alongside Hollywood icons, Yvonne Glee Lime was a shy little girl born on April 7, 1935, in Glendale, California.
Even at the age of five, she preferred to disappear behind her mother’s skirt when relatives came to visit — a quiet child with big emotions and a sensitive spirit.
But those early shyness struggles would not define her. What followed was a life of transformation, accomplished through talent, persistence, and an unwavering commitment to helping others.
On Friday, January 23, 2026, the world lost one of its most remarkable souls. Yvonne Lime Fedderson died peacefully of natural causes at her home in Paradise Valley, Arizona, at the age of 90. Her passing was confirmed by Childhelp, the nonprofit she co‑founded and dedicated much of her life to building.
From Early Stage to Silver Screen: A Rising Acting Career
Yvonne’s journey into performance began not out of ambition, but opportunity. Encouraged by family and inspired by the arts, she studied acting at the prestigious Pasadena Playhouse, a training ground for many Hollywood talents.
Early on, she demonstrated an ease on stage that contrasted sharply with her childhood shyness — a hint of the remarkable trajectory ahead.
Her screen career started in the mid‑1950s. One of her earliest film roles came in the 1956 drama The Rainmaker, where she appeared as Snookie Maguire opposite big‑name stars Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn. Audiences and critics alike took notice of her screen presence — a blend of poise, warmth, and charisma.
Soon after, she began appearing frequently on television. One of her most enduring early roles was a recurring part on the beloved family sitcom Father Knows Best, where she played the character Dotty in over a dozen episodes from 1956 to 1959 — a show that was central to the era’s idealized vision of family life.
But it was a teen‑oriented horror film that would forever cement her place in cinematic history.
A Cult Favorite: I Was a Teenage Werewolf
In 1957, Yvonne Lime starred as Arlene Logan, the girlfriend of Michael Landon’s character in I Was a Teenage Werewolf — one of the most iconic horror films of the 1950s.
Produced for a modest budget by American International Pictures, the film became a surprise success, grossing millions and spawning a subgenre of youth‑oriented science fiction and horror films.
Her performance brought genuine charm and humanity to a role in a genre often dismissed as lowbrow. The cult film remains a touchstone of mid‑century genre cinema, and Yvonne’s presence in it helped introduce her to audiences far beyond Hollywood.
Around the same time, she had an uncredited role in Elvis Presley’s film Loving You — adding another memorable classic to her early résumé.
She continued working steadily in film and television, including top billing roles in Dragstrip Riot and High School Hellcats in 1958, and numerous TV guest appearances throughout the late 1950s and 1960s.
Her credits included popular series such as The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., and My Three Sons.
Her final on‑screen role came in 1968 on the sitcom My Three Sons, produced by the man she would soon marry — television producer Don Fedderson.
A New Chapter: Marriage and a Life of Service
Yvonne Lime married Don Fedderson in 1969, joining lives with one of television’s most successful producers, known for series like My Three Sons and Family Affair.
Their partnership was both personal and professional; after marriage, Yvonne stepped back from acting to support her husband’s productions and to focus increasingly on philanthropy.
She became a stepmother to Don’s children — including actors Mike Minor and Gregg Fedderson — and later raised her own daughter, Dionne Fedderson. Together, Yvonne and Don built a life that blended family, entertainment, and purpose.
Childhelp: A Legacy of Compassion and Impact
While she will always be remembered for her film and television appearances, Yvonne Lime Fedderson’s most enduring legacy lies in her lifelong humanitarian work.
In 1959, she and her close friend and fellow actress Sara O’Meara co‑founded International Orphans Inc., an organization born from their shared experiences entertaining American troops overseas and witnessing the plight of orphaned children in Japan and Southeast Asia.
That organization later evolved into Childhelp, a national nonprofit dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
Under their guidance, Childhelp grew into one of the United States’ most respected organizations for child welfare, offering residential treatment programs, advocacy centers, therapeutic foster care, and educational services.
As of 2026, Childhelp has touched the lives of more than 14 million children and families nationwide through its comprehensive programs.
Yvonne’s leadership extended beyond founding the organization. She served in key roles, helping organize over 25 chapters and auxiliaries around the country and advocating tirelessly for children who had endured abuse, neglect, or trauma.
Her work with Childhelp garnered international recognition, including multiple nominations for prestigious awards and the adaptation of the organization’s mission into the Lifetime film For the Love of a Child.
Her impact was profound and personal to millions. Childhelp representatives paid tribute upon her passing, honoring her “unceasing light”, “hope”, and the “brilliant legacy of love she leaves behind.”
Voices Remembering Yvonne
The news of Yvonne’s passing drew heartfelt tributes from colleagues, friends, and supporters across the entertainment and nonprofit communities.
Sara O’Meara, her longtime partner in charity, described Yvonne as her “dearest friend,” praising her “compassion, strength and belief in the power of love” that shaped Childhelp’s mission.
Celebrity ambassador John Stamos spoke on social media about her “fierce unwavering dedication to protecting children,” noting that her legacy continues in the lives she helped transform.
Television personality Kathie Lee Gifford also remembered Yvonne as a woman whose life was “overflowing with extraordinary purpose and grace.”
In Arizona, public officials and community leaders expressed sympathy and admiration for her service, acknowledging her role as a pillar of compassion whose work brought hope and healing to countless families.
A Life Well Lived: Legacy and Reflection
Yvonne Lime Fedderson’s life stands as a powerful testament to the possibilities that unfold when talent is paired with purpose.
From a shy California child who hesitated in crowds, to a beloved actress starring alongside Hollywood greats, to a world‑renowned advocate for children’s welfare, her journey was marked by courage, empathy, and resolve.
Her film roles — from I Was a Teenage Werewolf to Dragstrip Riot — ensured she would be remembered by fans of classic cinema. But it is her six decades of charitable service with Childhelp that created a far‑reaching legacy of care and protection for generations of vulnerable children.
Yvonne lived her final years in Paradise Valley with her daughter, embracing family, community, and the knowledge that her advocacy changed lives.
While the Hollywood spotlight moved on, her humanitarian work illuminated countless paths, reminding the world that compassion — in action — can be as enduring as any film or television role.
Remembering a True Luminary
Yvonne Lime Fedderson’s story is one of transformation, resilience, and love. She demonstrated how personal vulnerability can become strength, how public recognition can fuel private purpose, and how one individual’s life can influence millions.
Her journey from a timid child to a leading Hollywood actress and beloved humanitarian underscores a remarkable blend of grace, talent, and service.
Her contributions — on screen and beyond — will continue to be celebrated by fans, loved ones, and the many whose lives she helped heal. In her passing, the world has lost a luminous soul, but her legacy of compassion and courage carries on.
