Florence Henderson, whose most famous role was that of Carol Brady in the sitcom The Brady Bunch has passed away at age 82.
Ms. Henderson, who had begun her career on Broadway and once did a stint on NBC's Today Show, was not the original choice to play Carol Brady; the role had been offered to Shirley Jones, who turned it down. Florence would become known as a competent mom, despite hiring a housekeeper to assist her with the blended Brady family. Despite lucrative endorsement deals and outside work, Florence returned to the role of Carol Brady multiple times, often because it would provide much needed funds for her television children who needed the work.
Florence had a good sense of humor about her most famous role, often willing to sendup her own beloved character in cameos and guest starring roles. After her co-star Robert Reed died of AIDS, she became a tireless fundraiser for those seeking to find a cure for the disease. In recent years, she had also become a huge benefactress of the Sisters of Saint Benedict convent, whose nuns had educated her.
Ms. Henderson leaves behind 4 children, six television children and millions of fan children who she has entertained and educated over the years.
