Retired actress Shelley Fabares died in Los Angeles at age 82 from acute respiratory distress, according to her death certificate.
The document, obtained via People magazine, specifies that the immediate cause of death was acute respiratory distress she suffered in the final days of her life. Primary pneumonia, which she was diagnosed with weeks before her demise, is listed on the document as a condition that led to her death.
No autopsy was performed on Fabares prior to her cremation last Friday. A representative for her widower, M*A*S*H actor Mike Farrell, previously told the Daily Mail days after her death that she had succumbed to pneumonia. The Daily Mail has contacted a representative for Farrell for comment.
Fabares passed away on August 22 surrounded by her loved ones in Los Angeles. She had previously suffered from autoimmune hepatitis and received a liver transplant back in 2000.
Her family confirmed the news of her death earlier this week and said she passed away surrounded by her loved ones in Los Angeles. In the statement announcing the news, they highlighted her decades-long career and the positive impact she had on her loved ones. In addition to her husband, Fabares is survived by her stepchildren and the rest of their family.
Family Pay Tribute to Beloved Actress
"To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter, and comfort," Fabares's family said in its statement.
"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."
"For millions, Shelley was a beloved actress whose work became part of the fabric of American television and film," the family of the late star continued.
"From her memorable role as Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show, where she also launched a successful recording career with her number one hit, Johnny Angel, to her appearances opposite Elvis Presley in three films, her beloved role on Coach, and her many other television and film performances, she brought talent, intelligence, and warmth to every performance," they added.
"But to those closest to her, her greatest legacy was personal: the love she gave so freely, the friendships she treasured, and the family bonds she held dear," they added.
Gushing about Fabares, her husband and her family also said they "will remember Shelley for her kindness, loyalty, wit, courage and beautiful spirit."
"We will miss her deeply, not only as a celebrated performer, but as the loving and extraordinary person she was in our everyday lives," her family continued.
"We are heartbroken by her loss, yet profoundly grateful for the years we shared with her and for the joy, compassion, and love she brought to so many," they added.
"We ask that our family's privacy be respected as we grieve. We take comfort in knowing that Shelley's work and the memories she created with those who loved her will continue to live on."
Child Stardom and The Donna Reed Show
Fabares was born in Santa Monica, California, and her career in entertainment kicked off when she was still a toddler. Her mother got her started modeling at the age of three, and she later made her television debut at just age 10 in 1954 as part of Letter to Loretta.
Fabares, who also had an aunt working as an actress, previously discussed growing up and working as a child actress in Hollywood.
"It's hard to know who you are and what you are," she told The Roanoke Times in a 1994 interview. "The things that go into the making of a child, you're not totally disciplined, you don't always behave, you have a sense of freedom, those things are not allowed on a set."
In 1958, she first played the part of Mary Stone, the teenage daughter of the titular star Donna and Dr Alex, played by Carl Betz, on The Donna Reed Show.
Fabares built a close friendship with Donna Reed during her time playing the onscreen daughter of the titular star of her show.
She later started her singing career after Reed's husband, producer Tony Owen, encouraged her and her onscreen brother Paul Petersen to incorporate singing into the show.
Musical Chart Success and Film Roles With Elvis Presley
Fabares's song Johnny Angel debuted in 1962 and quickly became No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Throughout her career, Fabares released a total of four albums.
In 1965, she starred in her first movie with Presley in Girl Happy. They would also work together again in the 1966 film Spinout, and she famously starred opposite Presley in the 1967 musical comedy Clambake.
Decades of Television Roles and Personal Life
Over the course of her career she made a number of iconic television and movie appearances. Her television appearances include Brian's Song in 1971, One Day at a Time alongside her aunt, and The Practice in 1976.
She also appeared on Police Story, The Rockford Files, Fantasy Island in 1981, The Love Boat, and Murder, She Wrote. Fabares was also remembered for a guest appearance she made on the hit sitcom Mork & Mindy, starring the late Robin Williams.
She was also best known for her iconic roles in Coach, where she was pictured alongside Craig T. Nelson in a 1989 still from the show.
In her personal life, Fabares was previously married to music producer Lou Adler. Fabares and Adler were married for two years before they called it quits in 1966, but only later filed for divorce in 1978 and finalized their legal separation in 1980.
In 1984, she married Farrell, now 87, at an intimate wedding held at the home of her aunt.
