Suburban Legend - Lucille Ball Lived in North Salem

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - The North Salem post office was abuzz Saturday morning with news that today is the 100th birthday of the late actress, comedienne, producer, and multi-award winner, Lucille Ball. There is a rumor that Ball lived in North Salem at one time, but the claim seems to be one of legend, not fact. 

North Salem resident Francis Schell said, “My wife told me that Vivian Vance lived here. She even showed me the house.” Vivian Vance played the role of Ethel, neighbor and close friend of Lucy Ricardo on the long-running “I Love Lucy” show and its spin-offs.

Jazz trumpeter Marvin Stamm, who was mailing a package, said, “I’ve lived here for 33 years and I never heard about either one of them.”

Readers of The Daily North Salem Facebook page discussed the likelihood of Ball’s being a North Salem neighbor. Arlene Guidice Santonas said, “Lucy didn’t live here… Ethel did, right near Town Hall.” Mary Ellen Purdy commented on Facebook that, “Ethel’s house was such a darling place right on 116, just east of the town hall. It has recently been expanded.”

Lucinda Hicks-Beach Quinn responded, “I know where Ethel lived. It was in a little house near town hall.” Lisa Scott added, “Lucy never lived in town but would visit sometimes. They would be seen together at the Peach Lake market, according to my grandmother.”

The consensus is that Lucy Ricardo’s neighbor, Ethel, who was Lucille Ball’s real-life friend, Vivian Vance, lived on Titicus Road. 

Do you have memories of Vivian Vance in North Salem? Email kpacchiana@TheDailyNorthSalem.com or visit our Facebook page.

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