Despite Debbie Reynolds’ death, memories of her live on for a couple local communities.

Reynolds, the actress who starred in such films as “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Bundle of Joy” and “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” died Wednesday after being rushed to a hospital in Los Angeles. She was 84.

Her death came one day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher.

Citizens of southwestern Butler County, however, may also remember her from her visit to Zelienople.

She performed four shows at the Strand Theater in Zelienople in 2009 after the theater reopened.

One local resident not only had the opportunity to see the Academy Award-winning star in person, but also got to be her driver.

Jerry Burr, a Zelienople resident, drove Reynolds and her entourage in his 2009 Lincoln Town Car.

“I had no idea she was coming in,” Burr, 77, said. “But that was a real thrill. It’s something you hang on to.”

Burr shuttled Reynolds from the Pittsburgh International Airport to Zelienople and also from the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Township.

“I was holding a sign that said ‘Deb’ on it. It was a pretty good sized sign,” Burr said. “Every show, she would start by making a comment, ‘I have this driver named Jerry. When he met me at the airport, he held this sign.’ She then looked at the audience and said, ‘Who ever heard of Deb Reynolds?’”

Although Burr described himself as “not a movie guy,” he watched “Singin’ in the Rain” after the experience. He also received an autographed picture from her.

“She was very personable, very nice and very appreciative,” he said. “She was not what you expect from a big name like that.”

Reynolds was also in Richland Township, Allegheny County, in 2008 to receive the Hance Award from St. Barnabas Charities.

The Hance Award is given to people of national acclaim who “exemplify ideals of benevolence, patriotism and service to others.”

“She was a very interesting addition to the already impressive lineup of Hance Award recipients,” said Valerie Day Wilden, St. Barnabas Health System assistant vice president. “She just combined the awe that everyone has of her in movies with the real sensitivity toward nursing home patients.”

Wilden said Reynolds received the award because of her work outside the silver screen by volunteering to visit nursing homes.

Reynolds visited St. Barnabas residents while touring the campus. Wilden said one resident spoke to Reynolds, saying she named her daughter Tammy after Reynolds’ character in “Tammy and the Bachelor.”

She also said Reynolds would sometimes introduce herself as “Princess Leia’s mother,” an homage to her daughter Fisher’s iconic “Star Wars” character.

“It was wonderful,” Wilden said. “You could just see their (residents’) faces come alive. She gave another resident a kiss on the head.”

The residents surprised Reynolds with a homemade quilt complete with pictures chronicling her career sewed into the fabric. Reynolds was also given a symbolic key to the St. Barnabas campus.

Video of Reynolds expressing support for St. Barnabas while receiving the Hance Award is still used on occasion, Wilden said.

“We couldn’t believe it,” Wilden said of Reynolds’ death. “With her passing so close to her daughter, it makes you wonder if she couldn’t bear the fact that she lost her daughter. Both were wonderful actresses. We will miss her.”