During the 1950s, a great amount of talent emerged from the well-known Disney show The Mickey Mouse Club, including Bonita Lynn Fields Elder, who unfortunately passed away this past Saturday.

Elder started her celebrity career in dancing in 1957, starring on the The Mickey Mouse Club in California at the young age of 12 years old. She had always gone by the name of Lynn; however, producers of the show suggested that she go by the name of “Bonnie” (the shortened version of her first name Bonita).

After Elder’s time on the The Mickey Mouse Club, she started to perform at Disneyland in California, and also later landed small roles (mostly dancing) in movies in the 1960s, such as: Bye Bye Birdie (1963), Sweet Charity (1969), and Angel In My Pocket (1969).

On November 17th, 2012, Bonita Lynn Fields Elder passed away at the age of 68 after suffering from throat cancer. Many fans of Elder have left their respects via Twitter:

RIP former Mouseketeer Bonita Lynn Fields Elder. Always sad to see a member of the Disney family passing on.

— Disney Fan Problems (@DisneyProblems) November 21, 2012

#RIP Former Mouseketeer Bonita Lynn Fields dies at 68. Thoughts & prayers are with the family, friends and loved ones. #GoneTooYoung #Angel

— MoE5CCs (@SMALLVILLE_NBD) November 21, 2012

Thoughts and prayers go out the family of Bonita Lynn “Bonnie” Fieldsa member of the 1950s “Mickey Mouse (cont) tl.gd/k35b2u

— Ben Kinlaw (@bekinlaw) November 21, 2012