My grandmother loved Maude and The Golden Girls. By default, I fell in love with The Golden Girls as well. An actress, animal advocate and legend has passed away.

Beatrice “Bea” Arthur (May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009) was an American comedian, actress and singer. In a career spanning seven decades, Arthur achieved success as the title character, Maude Findlay, on the 1970s sitcom Maude, and as Dorothy Zbornak on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls. Arthur won an Emmy for both roles.

She was 86.

Spokesman Dan Watt said that Arthur died Saturday morning at her home in Los Angeles, her family by her side.

She is survived by her sons Matthew and Daniel and grandchildren Kyra and Violet, he said.

No funeral services are currently planned, Watt said, adding that the family asked that donations be made to either the Art Attack Foundation or PETA in lieu of flowers.