Overview
- Her family confirmed she died Saturday in Los Angeles, described her as “a source of love, strength, laughter and comfort,” and asked for privacy while they grieve.
- Multiple outlets reported she died after a described “brief illness,” but the family has not released an official cause of death.
- Fabares broke out as Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show, parlayed that fame into a No. 1 1962 single, “Johnny Angel,” and co‑starred with Elvis Presley in three mid‑1960s films.
- She returned to high‑profile TV work as Christine Armstrong on Coach, a role that earned her Primetime Emmy nominations in 1993 and 1994.
- Her 2000 liver transplant and subsequent advocacy for organ donation and Alzheimer’s research were major parts of her later life and shaped how colleagues and fans remember her.