New details have emerged about the death of The Donna Reed Show star Shelly Fabares.
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The actress died on Aug. 22 at the age of 82. We reported last month that the death certificate listed pneumonia as a cause of the "Johnny Angel" singer's death. However, a new report adds more details. We have them below.
No Autopsy Was Performed on Shelly Fabares
As Page Six reports, a death certificate reveals that Fabares' immediate cause of death was acute respiratory distress (ARDS). Pneumonia is also listed.
Several weeks before Fabares' death, she was diagnosed with ARDS. According to the Mayo Clinic, the illness occurs when swelling of the lungs causes fluid to build up in the lungs' tiny elastic air sacs.
The protective membrane surrounding these sacs then becomes damaged, which causes fluid to leak into the lungs and preventing air from filling them. Sepsis, pneumonia, COVID-19, and other conditions can cause the disease.
No autopsy was performed on Fabares, and she was cremated on Aug. 28.
The Versatile "Coach" Star Was Beloved by Generations of Fans
Shelley had previously been diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. She received a liver transplant in 2000.
In addition to her singing career and her role on The Donna Reed Show, Fabares was a voice actress and the perfect foil for Craig T. Nelson's character on the sitcom Coach. Her family released a statement at the time of her death.
"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," it read. "She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for."
It added, "She brought talent, intelligence, and warmth to every performance. 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."
Fabares is survived by her husband, M*A*S*H actor Mike Farrell, and her two stepchildren.
