The family of Suzanne Somers celebrated the late matriarch on what would have been her 77th birthday.
On Monday night, Somers’ official Instagram account shared the video clip Three’s Company the actress’s family sings “Happy Birthday” the day after the actress’ death.
Somers’ husband of 46 years, Alan Hamel, and son, Bruce Somers Jr., were seen surrounded by family as they sang a song to celebrate the decorated birthday cake.
“Thank you for the outpouring of love and affection for Suzanne. So many of you have asked what you can do to support our family. The most comforting gesture for us is to hear how Suzanne has impacted all of your lives,” the caption read. “We have posted a book of acknowledgments on SuzanneSomers.com and would greatly appreciate it if you would add your comments. It helps us to hear how her legacy of love lives on in all of you.”
Hamel, 87, told PEOPLE in this week’s issue — which celebrates Somers’ life and legacy following her death Sunday at age 76 — that the family celebrated the actress’ life on Monday.
“We actually toasted, last night there were, I think 12 of us here and we all toasted Suzanne. I’m sure we’ll do something today. I’m sure we’ll do something today. I don’t know what it will be, but it will involve a lot of cake because Suzanne was crazy about cake,” Hamel said.
He also revealed that the actress loved “all cakes” but had a special place for “red velvet”. [cake].” Hamel said that “it would make her day if she could get her hands on a red velvet cake.”
Suzanne Somers’ family is celebrating her birthday.
Suzanne Somers/ Instagram
Hamel also shared with PEOPLE that he remembers “every moment” of their first meeting on set Anniversary game in 1969.
“We were supposed to shoot in a few hours and I had a crew around me and we were talking about last-minute finishing touches,” said Somers’ husband. “I looked across the stage and saw the most amazing women I’ve ever seen in my life. And I thought, ‘I have to go over there and talk to her.’ ”
“So I left the team and started walking and I’ve never been good with inbound lines,” Hamel continued.
He admitted he may have been “a bit panicked” at the time when he approached her, but said: “So I blurted out, ‘Would you get me a cup of coffee?’ How’s that for stupid? And she did. She brought me a cup of coffee and there was an instant connection like I’d never felt before in my life.”
“For the past 42 years, we haven’t spent an hour apart. And one of our sons describes our relationship as ‘functionally codependent,’ which it probably is,” he joked. After the couple tied the knot, they worked to reunite their families, with Somers’ son Bruce Jr. from her previous marriage and Hamel’s two children, Stephen and Leslie, from his first marriage.
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Suzanne Somers Alan Hamel 1978 Emmy Awards.
George Rose/Getty
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A day before Somers’ 77th birthday, her husband Hamel gave his wife of 46 years a birthday poem, which the actress read before she died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday.
Somers’ longtime publicist R. Couri Hay told PEOPLE that Hamel “gave it to her the day before and she read the poem, went to bed and later died peacefully in her sleep.”
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Suzanne Somers and husband Alan Hamel visit SiriusXM Studios on November 15, 2017. Cindy Ord/Getty Tributes pour in for Suzanne Somers after actress’ death at age 76: ‘The most glamorous person I’ve ever met’
Somers’ death was confirmed by her publicist to PEOPLE. “Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th. She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years,” Hay wrote in a statement to PEOPLE that he shared on behalf of the actress’ family.
“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, son Bruce and her immediate family,” the statement continued. “Her family gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.”
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