The beloved sitcom star was surrounded by loved ones for the special occasion.The beloved sitcom star was surrounded by loved ones for the special occasion.
Susan Saint James celebrated her 80th birthday with a party at her Los Angeles home months before her death.
In the last photos of the “Kate & Allie” star, the actress appeared in high spirits wearing a Spiritual Gangster tank top, a tennis skirt and sneakers.
For the Aug. 14 party, she accessorized her fun outfit with sunglasses and a red headband as she sipped from a cup.
As Page Six previously reported, the sitcom star’s family confirmed her passing on Tuesday, telling People that Saint James died on Monday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The date of her diagnosis remains unknown.
Her family also shed light on the beloved actress’ final birthday, which she spent with her many children and grandchildren.
Saint James celebrated her milestone birthday by attending a Doobie Brothers concert the night before, per the outlet. The “McMillan & Wife” alum, notably, toured with the band in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
The band surprised her by wishing her a happy birthday and dedicating their hit “Black Water” to her. The dedication was extra special as her family noted it was her late son Teddy’s favorite song.
On her birthday, Saint James continued the celebrations with a get-together in her backyard. She was joined by her whole family, including her husband, Dick Ebersol.
According to her family, she told them it “was one of the best two days of her entire life.”
“Her greatest joy outside her children was her seven grandchildren, five girls and two boys, ages 5 to 18,” her family added.
Saint James was a leading lady on television throughout the ’60s and ’70s before landing her career-defining role on “Kate & Allie” in 1984.
At that time, she already had six Emmy nominations under her belt and the beloved sitcom earned her two more.
“Kate & Allie,” which starred Saint James and Jane Curtin respectively, followed two divorced best friends who move in together, with their children in tow.
Although Saint James was reluctant at first, she ultimately decided to play Kate because she “could relate to the problems of a divorced woman,” as she had already been divorced twice.
She was first married to scriptwriter Richard Neubert from 1967 to 1968. In 1971, she married makeup artist Tom Lucas. They welcomed two children, daughter Sunshine and son Harmony before splitting in 1977.
While hosting “Saturday Night Live,” Saint James met NBC executive Dick Ebersol and the pair instantly hit it off.
They wed six weeks after meeting and welcomed three sons: Charles, William and Edward, known as Teddy.
Tragically, Teddy died in a plane crash in 2004 when he was just 14 years old.
The teen was on a private jet with his father and brother Charles after celebrating Thanksgiving in Los Angeles.
Saint James kept Teddy’s memory alive in the decades to come. She honored her late son by helping dedicate the Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields at Lederman Park in Boston in 2006.
