Sheila Kennelly has passed away at the age of 88. As reported by The Sun, she was most well known for her role as Floss McPhee in iconic Australian soap Home and Away.
Famed TV historian Andrew Mercado confirmed the soap actress had passed away in a post on social media. "Very sad news to report," he wrote. "Darling Sheila Kennelly has died the way she always wanted, 'falling off the twig', she would say, on her beloved farm in the Hunter Valley."
He continued, "She was surrounded by her dogs and dear family who looked after her so lovingly in her final days."
Although the soap actress was most well known for her role as the carnival worker Floss in Home and Away, she also had stints in numerous other iconic soap operas.
She had an equally iconic role in the soap Number 96, where Norma Whittaker was known for her sweet spirit and calling everyone "ducky". She stayed close to numerous cast members of Number 96 up until they passed.
Kennelly also played an Italian mother-in-law in Kingwood Country, Rosa.
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Tributes Poured in for the Beloved Soap Actress
Tributes have poured in for the beloved soap actress across social media.
One fan wrote that they were undertaking a rewatch of Number 96 at the time Kennelly passed. "Sheila had such a lovely, natural screen presence and great chemistry with Gordon. Her passing is sad news."
Another commenter noted, "Floss was a key character in the first 100 or so Home and Away episodes." One commenter also remembered her "playing Floss... and Rosa from Kingswood Country." They added, "She was such a versatile actress as well as a really good one too. Vale Sheila."
One fan even recalled a more niche role she had in the soap opera scene. "Very sad to hear this what marvellous woman she was. I loved her guest role in A Country Practice as a big soap opera fan of a fictitious Soap Opera on the show."
This is a tragic loss for the acting community. May she rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends as they navigate this loss.
