Susan Saint James, recognized for her acclaimed performances in the television series McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, has passed away at the age of 80.
Her defining act: weeks after losing her youngest son, Teddy, in the November 28, 2004 plane crash, she delivered his eulogy as a note to each of her other children and her husband, giving them words to heal. “She brought that same fire and positivity to everything that followed, and never lost it. The Hollywood Reporter has similarly verified the confirmation of Saint James’ death. In a statement provided to PEOPLE, her family describes Saint James as “someone who was generous with her time and energy, which she valued more than money, and instinctively drawn to whoever needed lifting up. She taught her children to pause, be kind and look out for other people. “She never met a stranger. Every person she met became the most important person in the room at that moment, from a fellow board member to the clerk at the shoe store, who usually walked away knowing her entire life story. Even in the deepest grief of her life, she put everyone else first. Days after the crash she sat with Tim Russert to thank the people who had reached out and to tell them the family was okay. She is survived by her husband, Dick Ebersol, her four children–Sunshine Lucas, Harmony Lucas, Charlie Ebersol and Willie Ebersol–her seven grandchildren; her sister, Mary Mercedes Dewey, as well as her beloved service dog, Lola.
She had been previously diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The actress’s family and official representative have confirmed to People magazine that Saint James passed away on Monday.
