Shelley Fabares’ cause of death has been revealed.
The actress, who starred in Coach and The Donna Reed Show among other TV series and films, died Saturday after a brief illness. She was 82.
Fabares died of pneumonia, her family revealed Thursday to People and other outlets. She had previously been diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. And she had a liver transplant in October 2000 after spending nearly two years on the waiting list to receive one.
“To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter and comfort,” Fabares’ family said in a statement announcing her death. “She was a devoted wife, cherished stepmother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, family member and loyal friend whose warmth, generosity, humor and grace made an enduring difference in the lives of everyone who knew her. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcomed, valued and cared for.”
Fabares, whose survivors include her husband, M*A*S*H actor Mike Farrell, played wholesome daughter Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show, which aired from 1958-1966 on ABC. She went on to star opposite Elvis Presley in three movies (1965’s Girl Happy, 1966’s Spinout and 1967’s Clambake) and star alongside James Caan in the 1971 TV film Brian’s Song. And, during her time on Donna Reed, she recorded a version of “Johnny Angel” that hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1962.
She later starred in Coach as the TV newscaster wife of Craig T. Nelson’s college football coach. She earned two Emmy nominations for her role on the ABC comedy, which ran for eight seasons from 1989-1997.
Her other credits include roles on the original One Day at a Time in the late ’70s and ’80s, 1976-1977’s The Practice with Danny Thomas, Highcliffe Manor and Forever Fernwood.
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