Surrounded by her family and caregivers, actress Estelle Getty – known for her role as the wise-cracking Sophia Petrillo on the Golden Girls – died Tuesday morning at her Los Angeles home.
She was 84.
She was to turn 85 on Friday.
Her longtime caregiver Paul Chapdelaine wrote on her Web site:
"Sadly, today July 22, 2008 at 5:35 a.m. Pacific Time, we said our last good-byes to our little friend Estelle, who passed away and made her journey to the great beyond. Although it was a trip that she never wanted to take, she went gracefully, in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by her family and her very loving care-givers.
"Estelle's legacy will live on and on through the comedy and laughter she gave to us all, which will forever keep us laughing out loud."
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She is survived by her two adult sons, Barry and Carl.
Chip Flowers
