Per her website http://www.estellegetty.com/main.html

To all of Estelle's Fans,

Sadly, today July 22, 2008 at 5:35 a.m. Pacific Time, we said our last good-byes to our little friend Estelle, who passed away and made her journey to the great beyond. Although it was a trip that she never wanted to take, she went gracefully, in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by her family and her very loving care-givers.

Estelle's legacy will live on and on through the comedy and laughter she gave to us all, which will forever keep us laughing out loud.

For us here, who have known and cared for her for so many years, we've lost our dear little friend who always kept us entertained by filling our days with joyful laughter. Estelle's fans across the globe have lost the feisty little lady known as Sophia Petrillo, whose quick wit, cutting remarks, and outrageous punch lines will forever be quoted and remembered.

Estelle was a fighter. She always stood up for the underdogs, fought for equality for all, and always pictured a world filled with "Love and Laughter" --her most favorite catch phrase.

Estelle, we love you and will miss you dearly. We pray that you are met at the Pearly Gate with open arms and a warm welcome by all who have passed before you. If there's a stage over there, I know you'll be on it. If there's a thrift shop, I know you'll be shopping, and if there's a deli, I know you'll be eating there holding court with Rhoda and Sylvia ... and the laughter will be heard throughout the heavens.

Goodbye, dear friend. Thank you for all the talent and love that you've shared with us during your time here on Earth. You have touched my life, and the lives of so many others who will never forget you.

Until we meet again...

Love and Laughter to You,

Paul Chapdelaine

This is really sad news, I haven't seen many episodes of The Golden Girls but she was simply wonderful as Sophia.

:rip: Estelle

rest in Peace Estelle Getty

:rip: to a marvelous actress. She will be missed.

Rest in Peace, Estelle. She was a tremendous talent.

Indeed.....she deserves to finally rest in peace.

i just saw this on the news. :( so sad. i loved her on golden girls.
rip estelle. you were an amazing actress who made many laugh. you will be missed.

I was just watching Golden Girls late last night and still laughing at Estelle's smart-ass lines that I laughed at many times before.

RIP Estelle and thanks for all the laughs!!

I really hate to hear that, she was so funny on the Golden Girls. REST IN PEACE Estelle!

RIP Estelle :rip:

Probably one of the best supporting actresses ever on a sitcom! She will be deeply missed. See our tribute for more info:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2008/07/fx-schedule-changes-remembering-golden.html

This is very sad news. Estelle was one of my favorites on the show next to Betty White.

I just saw it on the news! :( RIP, estelle!
A very important part of GG

RIP Estelle....You will be missed....:(

I spent many an evening watching the Golden Girls when I was growing up and now I have passed my love of this show and in particular Estelle Getty's character Sophia to my children. We will miss Ms. Getty but she will live on in the humor and wisdom of Sophia Petrillo. Rest in Peace your fans are going to miss you.

:rip: :(



BRAVO TO A GREAT LADY WHO MADE US LAUGH, SMILE AND ENTERTAINED US!!!!!! :thumbsup: :clap:


THANK YOU ESTELLE...REST IN PEACE AND GOD BLESS.

rest in peace Estelle aka Sophia :rip:

She died 3 days before her 85th birthday :( Rest in peace, you will be missed by the boards here :(

i agree she will be missed rest in peace we will miss you:(

I was in shock when I heard the news

RIP!!

She played one of the most legendary characters ever and will be missed by ALL.

I was in shock when I heard the news

Hmm, why? She was in bad shape for many years, she was going to die eventally

I am really saddened by this news!!! :( The Golden Girls is one of my all-time favorites.
Rest in Peace, Estelle!!! You will truly be missed!!

Thank you for being a friend!!!! :(

RIP Estelle. :rip:

At least she's no longer suffering.

Hmm, why? She was in bad shape for many years, she was going to die eventally

It's possible that he might not have known that, I didn't know it myself until I read the obit.

It's possible that he might not have known that, I didn't know it myself until I read the obit.

Good point

Just saw this on yahoo. Terrible news, but I am glad estelle is out of her misery with that battle against lewy body dementia which is a terrible disease. She was a terrific actress and person!

If anyone would like to view or sign the guestbook, You can do so here (http://www.legacy.com/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=113918530)

Sophia was my favorite character on the show. I knew she was sick for a long time so I figured the end would come eventually.

RIP.

Goodbye, our beloved Estelle... thank you for being a friend! :( You brought us all so much joy as Sophia Petrillo and we will never forget you, as you still make us laugh and will continue to do so forever in reruns. Sophia now joins Sal and her son Phil up in heaven... You will be missed, Estelle...

R.I.P. Sophia... I will miss you Estelle Getty.:crying:

:(

also joins her ex son n law stan up n heaven to she proably talking to him now rip sophia

:rip: Very s(b)ad news! Standing ovations for this wonderfull actress! :clap :clap

Will Lifetime pay tribute to her with a GG marathon or will they not do that since they are losing the rights to the show next year?

LIFETIME TELEVISION PAYS TRIBUTE TO GOLDEN GIRL ESTELLE GETTY WITH
10 SPECIAL EPISODES OF THE POPULAR SERIES,
FRIDAY, JULY 25 FROM 12-5PM (ET/PT)

FANS CAN VOTE AT MYLIFETIME.COM FOR FAVORITE “SOPHIA” EPISODE


NEW YORK – This Friday, July 25, Lifetime Television will pay a special on-air and online tribute to Estelle Getty, who played the cantankerous “Sophia Petrillo” on the iconic comedy series “The Golden Girls.” Ms. Getty passed away today at her home in Los Angeles at the age of 84.

From 12-5PM (ET/PT), Lifetime will air 10 episodes showcasing “Sophia” in all her blustering, sarcastic splendor, beginning with the show’s pilot. The last episode at 4:30PM (ET/PT) will be the #1 favorite “Sophia episode” as decided through a vote of her legion of devoted fans at myLifetime.com.

“The Golden Girls” premiered on Lifetime in 1997. The series airs weekdays from 9-10AM, 4-5PM and 1-2AM, all ET/PT.

I was just told about Estelle's passing, this is a terrible loss. I'm still shocked by this, I feel like crying, it's like loosing a family member.:crying: :crying: Rest In Peace Estelle aka Sophia Petrillo, you will be greatly missed. :(

LIFETIME TELEVISION PAYS TRIBUTE TO GOLDEN GIRL ESTELLE GETTY WITH
10 SPECIAL EPISODES OF THE POPULAR SERIES,
FRIDAY, JULY 25 FROM 12-5PM (ET/PT)

FANS CAN VOTE AT MYLIFETIME.COM FOR FAVORITE “SOPHIA” EPISODE


NEW YORK – This Friday, July 25, Lifetime Television will pay a special on-air and online tribute to Estelle Getty, who played the cantankerous “Sophia Petrillo” on the iconic comedy series “The Golden Girls.” Ms. Getty passed away today at her home in Los Angeles at the age of 84.

From 12-5PM (ET/PT), Lifetime will air 10 episodes showcasing “Sophia” in all her blustering, sarcastic splendor, beginning with the show’s pilot. The last episode at 4:30PM (ET/PT) will be the #1 favorite “Sophia episode” as decided through a vote of her legion of devoted fans at myLifetime.com.

“The Golden Girls” premiered on Lifetime in 1997. The series airs weekdays from 9-10AM, 4-5PM and 1-2AM, all ET/PT.


Thanks, I will get up early and watch this on Friday

RIP Mrs. Getty,

You where my favorit on Golden Girls and always made me smile and still do. I will watch Golden Girls till I die. Thank you for everything.

I hope everything in your life made you happy.

LIFETIME TELEVISION PAYS TRIBUTE TO GOLDEN GIRL ESTELLE GETTY WITH
10 SPECIAL EPISODES OF THE POPULAR SERIES,
FRIDAY, JULY 25 FROM 12-5PM (ET/PT)

FANS CAN VOTE AT MYLIFETIME.COM FOR FAVORITE “SOPHIA” EPISODE


NEW YORK – This Friday, July 25, Lifetime Television will pay a special on-air and online tribute to Estelle Getty, who played the cantankerous “Sophia Petrillo” on the iconic comedy series “The Golden Girls.” Ms. Getty passed away today at her home in Los Angeles at the age of 84.

From 12-5PM (ET/PT), Lifetime will air 10 episodes showcasing “Sophia” in all her blustering, sarcastic splendor, beginning with the show’s pilot. The last episode at 4:30PM (ET/PT) will be the #1 favorite “Sophia episode” as decided through a vote of her legion of devoted fans at myLifetime.com.

“The Golden Girls” premiered on Lifetime in 1997. The series airs weekdays from 9-10AM, 4-5PM and 1-2AM, all ET/PT.

I am so glad to hear Lifetime is giving Estelle a proper tribute. I've been watching tributes to her on all the entertainment shows and have shed a few tears, remembering what a wonderfully talented actress she was as well as an incredible human being... :(

Estelle was the first of the main girls to pass away. :rip:

I haven't been around much lately on these boards but I had to stop in to pay my respects to one of the finest actresses television ever knew. She was beyond brilliant in the role of Sophia Petrillo, and at least that 7 year long performance will be with us always. One of the greats gone. Rest in Peace Estelle, you'll be missed. :(

I am so glad to hear Lifetime is giving Estelle a proper tribute. I've been watching tributes to her on all the entertainment shows and have shed a few tears, remembering what a wonderfully talented actress she was as well as an incredible human being... :(

Thanks for posting this.

:( R.I.P. Estelle

:rip:

What a funny lady she was on GG. She will be greatly missed.

In honor of Estelle, I will be watching Golden Girls on DVD of every season and eating cheesecake in honor of Estelle tonight

In honor of Estelle, I will be watching Golden Girls on DVD of every season and eating cheesecake in honor of Estelle tonight

I watched some of my DVD's of TGG tonight to honor Estelle. I also watched Entertainment Tonight to see memories of Estelle Getty and she is suppose to be on there again tomorrow night too.

Today (July 22, 2008) is a sad day for all fans of "The Golden Girls" as the show lost one of its own. Estelle Getty stole scene after scene in multiple episodes as the smart-mouthed Sophia. I was truly saddened to hear that she had passed away earlier this morning. I had just watched a couple of episodes last night from the Season 3 DVD of "The Golden Girls" that I own. I started watching this show way back when it first premiered on NBC. The night: Saturday September 14, 1985. I watched every episode from the first one to the last one, and it became my all-time favorite television show. I loved this show so much that I recorded every episode off of our VCR, and now I own all 7 seasons of the show on DVD. Estelle was a big reason why "The Golden Girls" is my #1 TV show. Sophia was one of the funniest characters in TV history. She deservedly won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her work on the show. But tonight we are mourning her passing after a long battle with dementia.

R.I.P. Estelle. Thanks for all the laughs and the memories. You will sorely be missed. :(

RIP Estelle. :( This is such sad news. I was really surprised when I first heard, but I guess I shouldn't have been. I mean, she's been sick for a few years now. I'm so glad Lifetime is doing a tribute. I hoped they would, but I wasn't really counting on it. It's nice to see I was wrong. :)

Today (July 22, 2008) is a sad day for all fans of "The Golden Girls" as the show lost one of its own. Estelle Getty stole scene after scene in multiple episodes as the smart-mouthed Sophia. I was truly saddened to hear that she had passed away earlier this morning. I had just watched a couple of episodes last night from the Season 3 DVD of "The Golden Girls" that I own. I started watching this show way back when it first premiered on NBC. The night: Saturday September 14, 1985. I watched every episode from the first one to the last one, and it became my all-time favorite television show. I loved this show so much that I recorded every episode off of our VCR, and now I own all 7 seasons of the show on DVD. Estelle was a big reason why "The Golden Girls" is my #1 TV show. Sophia was one of the funniest characters in TV history. She deservedly won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her work on the show. But tonight we are mourning her passing after a long battle with dementia.

R.I.P. Estelle. Thanks for all the laughs and the memories. You will sorely be missed. :(

Good post!

"Love and Laughter"

Thank you for providing us with both, Estelle.

Farewell and thank you. :*

My Mom and me bonded over watching the Golden Girls. I'm so sad to hear about the death of Sophia. Sophia along with the other crazy characters on the show were a big part of my childhoold. I looked forward to watching it with my Mom everyday.

God Bless her, she will be missed. RIP :(

Estelle Getty was truly a rare talent. Her success as Sophia will forever be remembered and could never be matched. I love the Golden Girls and Sophia was definately my favorite....In the words of Rue " She stole the show" The loss of Estelle deeply saddens me, but I am glad she can rest in peace now after years of being ill. Estelle, you will forever be remebered and love. Thanks for all of the "Love and Laughter".

RIP
The smart mouthed TV grandma I never had :(

In honor of Estelle, I will be watching Golden Girls on DVD of every season and eating cheesecake in honor of Estelle tonight.

That's a very lovely tribute and the way I'm sure Estelle will wish to be remembered...

I was so sad to hear this news. She was a wonderful actress and brought a lot of laughter to a lot of people. She will be missed by many. I will be praying for her family during this time of grief.

Rest in Peace Estelle.

I heard on Entertanment Tonight that Estella Getty will be Laid to Rest today

Thanks for posting this.


I love those pictures of Sophia. Thanks for posting those. Hope to see more pictures of Estelle/Sophia.

thanks for shareing The Pictures

It's wonderful to read all of the loving tributes members are posting about Estelle. Many people appear to have joined the boards just to post their thoughts and to share their sadness and memories. I can't imagine a more appropriate testimony to the power of Estelle's performance as Sophia Petrillo...

It's wonderful to read all of the loving tributes members are posting about Estelle. Many people appear to have joined the boards just to post their thoughts and to share their sadness and memories. I can't imagine a more appropriate testimony to the power of Estelle's performance as Sophia Petrillo...

I wouldn't be surprised that when they show the In Memoriam part on the Emmys, they show Estelle last. That, to me, is a big thing. It shows just how popular a person was.

I haven't been on the boards in so long, but I felt I needed to also express my deep sorrow for the passing of Estelle Getty. I've been watching the Golden Girls for 10 years and I felt attached to each one of The Golden Girls and she will be missed deeply.

I have just discovered Estelle left us..I am so sorry, TGG is my favourite sit-com of all the times and I love watching it over and over again..I am so sad she's gone. Thank you, thank you, thank you for what you have done.

My prayers are with you and your family.

May you rest in peace.

I was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Estelle Getty. I've been watching her and the other Girls since the show first aired in 1985. I still watch the show every day! Sophia was the "Ma" I wish I had had. She had a gift and a talent to portray a character who was loved and admired by everyone who saw her. What a loss for the world...and a gain for Heaven.
R.I.P. Sophia, you will be sorely missed by your Girls and the rest of us who wished we could have been a part of that household.

According to the Associated Press, Bea, Rue and Betty all were NOT at her funeral. Any guesses why? I thought they all got along?

R.I.P. Estelle you will be Greatly missed. Thanks for all the Great laughs.

According to the Associated Press, Bea, Rue and Betty all were NOT at her funeral. Any guesses why? I thought they all got along?
May have been busy, or could have been private service. & they did get along. BUt i too would think they would have been there.

Since now, Sophia is in heaven, Dorothy, Rose, and Blanche are now the three musketeers. Now Sophia is enjoying heaven with her husband Sal. I've been watching Entertainment Tonight on Tuesday & Wednesday about Estelle.

According to the Associated Press, Bea, Rue and Betty all were NOT at her funeral. Any guesses why? I thought they all got along?

I was watching Inside Editon :o when I found how she passed, how sad. They said Bea Author would not be able to handle the funeral. Rue was busy in New York with the show she is on. They really did not say anything about Betty just that she sent some flowers.

According to the Associated Press, Bea, Rue and Betty all were NOT at her funeral. Any guesses why? I thought they all got along?

Keep in mind our girls are elderly as well. Bea is 83-85, and Betty is just a year younger. Travel is not so easy when you get old.

The girls obviously kept in touch with Estelle's caregivers, as seen in the behind-the-scenes video at the TVLand Awards, and from the 2003 retrospective. Yes, it's unfortunate they couldn't be there, but... it may just be the way it is.

I was so saddened by the news of Estelle's passing :crying: She was such a beautiful person. Sophia was always my favorite Golden Girl. She will be missed!!

Rest in Peace Estelle bka Sophia
7/25/1923 to 7/22/3008 :angel:

Keep in mind our girls are elderly as well. Bea is 83-85, and Betty is just a year younger. Travel is not so easy when you get old.

The girls obviously kept in touch with Estelle's caregivers, as seen in the behind-the-scenes video at the TVLand Awards, and from the 2003 retrospective. Yes, it's unfortunate they couldn't be there, but... it may just be the way it is.

I agree, Jay. Mobility isn't so easy when we age. I know all three of our Girls would have been at Estelle's service if it were possible...

Don't forget to swing over to the ultimate Golden Girls forum and leave your thoughts, tributes, memories and laughs.

Clickity for Couch Potatoes (http://www.couch-potatoes.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=6120)

As Pav mentioned in another post, Betty White will be appearing on The View, where I am sure she will speak of Estelle's passing and her memories of working with such an amazingly gifted actress...

Yall not going to belive this one but I heard that Bea Betty and Rue did not go to Estelle Getty Funeral.

Yall not going to belive this one but I heard that Bea Betty and Rue did not go to Estelle Getty Funeral.
Are you sure about that? Thats kind of hard to believe:(

my Aunt Ros told me that Bea Betty and Rue did not go to the funeral.

I'm a little surprised that Betty didn't show up, but we don't really know what else she had going on, and I heard she did send flowers. I can certainly understand the other two. I mean, Rue just had knee surgery, and Bea is an 86 year old woman who lived on the other side of the country from the funeral. Plus, I've always heard people describe Bea, and in fact Bea describe herself, as being an extremely emotional person. She said that she just couldn't handle the funeral and I can certainly understand that. Plus, she made some comment about how she had been mourning Estelle for a while now. She had dementia for years and hasn't really been with us in that respect for some time. And some people just do not like to go to funerals, and would rather remember people the way they were. I hope her son doesn't continue to make this a big story when it really is not.

Yes, the girls did not attend.

More information available here (http://www.couch-potatoes.co.uk/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=6120&view=findpost&p=102831)and here (http://www.couch-potatoes.co.uk/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=6120&view=findpost&p=103038) and here (http://www.couch-potatoes.co.uk/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=6120&view=findpost&p=103160).

Estelle,
It was a sad day in our house when we hear the news on estelle passng.we all love you. i have watched golden everyday for the past 7 years. my son simon has been rocked to sleep listening to your voice many many nights. he is now 6 and loves you so much. he will tell me mommy put golden girls and we can watch it together. love, kim and simon indianapolis Indiana