Actress Suzanne Somers, known for her unforgettable portrayal of Chrissy Snow in the comedy series Apartment for Three, died last Sunday at the age of 76 due to breast cancer that she had suffered for more than two decades.
The actress died at home just one day after celebrating her birthday, as reported by her representative. An anniversary that, despite everything, her family wanted to celebrate in style a few hours after her death.
In a video that the family has shared on the late actress's own Instagram account, you can see her husband, Alan Hamel; and the actress's son, Bruce Somers Jr., accompanied by other family members. Despite the sadness that can still be seen in the eyes of both, especially in those of Somers' husband, who was with her since they got married in 1977.
"Thank you for all the love and affection for Suzanne. Many of you have asked us what you can do to support our family, and the most soothing gesture for us is to hear how Suzanne affected your lives and how her legacy of love impacted you." , they write, providing a website so that their followers can show their condolences.
Her granddaughter, Violet Somers, also wanted to dedicate a few farewell words to her grandmother in what would have been her "last birthday card." An emotional letter in which she emphasizes that "thank you" is not enough to express what she feels for the actress, that she was always by her side and loved her unconditionally.
"I miss you already," says the young woman, who wishes that her grandmother would have the warmest welcome wherever she has gone. "You will be very loved, and when I go, you will be the first person I hug," she says, assuring him that her legacy will continue through her family. "I know that you will guide me in those moments when I need you, by surprise. You will visit me like a yellow butterfly or whatever you like. 'Thank you' will never be able to encompass the gratitude I have for you. I love you more than anything," ends.
At 87 years old, Alan Hamel has lost the love of his life. Luckily, he had the opportunity to let Suzanne know how much he loved her before he died, as he gave her a meaningful early birthday gift: a handwritten poem that she read just before going to sleep the night he died.
In that poem, Hamel reflects on their life together, more than half a century; and he searches for the right word that reflects his love. "There are no words, there are no actions," he laments, "even the green-shaded academics at Oxford University Press have gone 150 years and still haven't managed to find that word. So I'll call it We, a uniquely, magically, indescribably We marvelous".
The actress and Hamel married in 1977. She also had a son in that marriage, Bruce (57), the result of her marriage to Bruce Somers, whom she divorced in 1968. Hamel, for her part, also had two children from a previous relationship, Leslie and Stephen, whom the actress welcomed as her own children.
The entire family of the protagonist of Step by Step mourns the death of the actress. They will gather on Monday to celebrate her life and finalize the details of her cremation, which will take place this week. The date of her funeral will be announced soon, but everything seems to indicate that it will be held in November.
