America's Mom, Florence Henderson, Dies At 82

Actress Florence Henderson

By JIM PURCELL

She was "Mrs. Brady" for an entire generation.

Actress Florence Henderson, 82, known for her role portraying Brady matriarch "Carol Brady" on the iconic television show "The Brady Bunch," died on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2016. According to a press release issued by her manager, Kayla Pressman, she was surrounded by friends and family when she passed.

While the cause for her death has not been released as of yet, Ms. Henderson continued to work on "The Florence Henderson Show" from 2008 until her death yesterday. Her role on the Brady Bunch, which lasted for five years during the late 1960s and early 1970s, propelled her into celebrity. However, Ms. Henderson was a working actress through her entire life. She starred on the Broadway stage in "Wish You Were Here" (1952); "Fanny" (1054); "The Girl Who Came to Supper" (1963); and she appeared on many television shows since the 1970s in guest appearances.

Ms. Henderson was born in Dale, Indiana to a farmer, Joseph Henderson, and his wife, Elizabeth Henderson. Ms. Henderson was the youngest of 10 children. After graduating St. Francis School, in 1951, Ms. Henderson went on to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, in New York City.

Ms. Henderson was married twice and is survived by four children.