Edna Carmody was very shy as a child and had no aspirations for fame and fortune. But her parents enrolled her in dance classes when she was three, and she danced until she was 22 and got married. Three of those years she danced professionally and was even offered the chance to be Judy Garland’s understudy — in fact, during her performances, the emcee would introduce her as "soon-to-be Judy Garland's double." But she turned it down. She says she was too timid for "all that glitter."

Edna was a good enough dancer to teach a young Danny Thomas the time-step (a tap dancing move). "He was a quick learner," says Edna. "He was so good." He was just starting out, not famous yet, and Edna remembers that he had just had a baby girl. "He was always talking about his daughter," says Edna. "We heard about little Marlo all the time. He was just crazy about her."

In spite of pressure to keep dancing and become a star, Edna decided instead to marry and live a quiet life at home — as quiet as possible with 10 children! While some might regret giving up a life in the limelight, Edna was just as happy in the kitchen as on the dance floor, preparing nutritious meals for her family of 12, and sharing stories of her brushes with fame.

Her children visit her regularly at Providence Rehabilitation of Palos Heights, and they are clearly proud of their mom's exciting past, and her appreciation for family over fame.