Maureen Dragone with Sir Anthony Hopkins

HFPA member Maureen Dragone passed away peacefully on Friday, February 8, 2013, in her 94^th year. Dragone was recently given a Life Membership by the association. Maureen’s mother founded the HFPA and the Golden Globes, and Maureen was the last person to have attended every Golden Globe Awards in its 70-year history. Dragone was Founder and Executive Producer of  Young Artist Awards, created in 1978 with the name  Youth In Film Awards. Her dedication to young actors remained dear to her heart all those years. Through the Awards, she recognized many actors before their careers launched and at the time, were unknown to the general public, including Diane Lane, Jodie Foster, Leonardo DiCaprio,  Elliot Page (Pit Pony), and Jodelle Ferland (A Christmas Child, Smallville) and many others. One of Maureen’s last statements was  “ I did everything that I ever wanted to do, and did it my way.” She will be missed and was loved by so many people. A memorial service is to be held at a future date.