Countless women have played the role of TV mom throughout the history of the medium, but there’s one actor who always stood head and shoulders above the rest.
From 1969 to 1974, Florence Henderson’s role as Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch, was the iconic mother of the small screen and the character is still fondly remembered by viewers across the globe.
It’s the role for which Henderson, who died from heart failure at the age of 82 on November 24, will most fondly be remembered.
Off-screen, Henderson was just as wholesome and warms as Mrs. Brady, and her television children took time following her passing to share their love of their TV mother with the rest of the world.
“Florence Henderson was a dear friend for so very many years & in my <3 forever. Love & hugs to her family. I’ll miss u dearly,” wrote Maureen McCormick on Twitter.
The actress, who played oldest daughter Marcia Brady on the hit sitcom, also shared an image of herself and Henderson on the set of Dancing with the Stars.
You are in my heart forever Florence💕 pic.twitter.com/PABCuPubA2
— Maureen McCormick (@MoMcCormick7) November 25, 2016
The photo was taken at a taping of the ABC reality dancing competition program in September. McCormick was a contestant during the most recent season and performed a Brady Bunch-themed dance which featured a cameo from Henderson.
Three days before her passing, Henderson was in the audience for the finals of the show. She was also a contestant on the show in the fall of 2010.
Barry Williams, aka Greg Brady, offered his condolences by tweeting in part: “Proud to call her Mom and lifelong friend.”
Christopher Knight (Peter Brady) said he was “privileged to have known her and the kindness of her heart” while Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady) shifted the focus from Henderson’s fictional family to her real-life children.
“Of course we are all devastated by the loss of our TV Mom, but four magnificent human beings are proof that Florence was a wonderful mother in real life. It is for them that my heart is aching,” Olsen wrote in a Facebook post.
Finally, Eve Plumb, who played middle child Jan Brady, released a touching statement on the passing of her TV mom.
“Florence was a wonderful role model for me and all of us “kids.” She taught me how to be a professional actor by her example of preparedness and respect for the work and her fellow cast and crew members.
She was what I came to call a “good celebrity” in that she would always pose for a picture, sign an autograph, and was very attentive to her fans.
She was also loving, warm, generous, and could tell a funny, dirty joke. I’m fortunate to have been able to know and to work with her. She will be missed by her children, grandchildren, and us “kids.”
Henderson was preceded in death by her husband Dr. John George Kappas. She is survived by two daughters, two sons, and five grandchildren.
Her Brady Bunch TV husband, Robert Reed, passed away from colon cancer in 1992.
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Photo Credit: Twitter