Suzanne Somers’ Family Celebrates Thanksgiving After Her Death as Daughter-in-Law ‘Channels’ Her Cooking

Suzanne Somers’ family keeps her legacy alive with food.

Somers’ husband of 46 years, Alan Hamel, and son, Bruce Somers Jr., were surrounded by family on their first Thanksgiving without the late matriarch. Suzanne died on October 15 of breast cancer a day before her 77th birthday.

Bruce shared a video on his Instagram Story on Thursday showing a group of loved ones, including his wife Caroline, cooking and preparing meals in preparation for the holiday.

“@carolinesomers directs my mom’s cooking,” he wrote. “So proud.”

Suzanne Somers family on Thanksgiving.

Caroline Somers/Instagram

Caroline also shared a series of posts on her Instagram Story, showing food preparation, a colorful dinner table setting and a loving toast.

“Days of preparation by @carolinesomers resulted in a wonderful evening,” read the post, which was re-shared by Caroline.

Suzanne Somers family on Thanksgiving.

Caroline Somers/Instagram

Before the matriarch’s death, an annual family tradition was gathering at Suzanne’s home in Palm Springs for “a week of family, nature and decadent holiday flavors,” Caroline, Bruce’s wife since 1991, told PEOPLE. “It has always been the most important thing for our family, a cherished vacation.” Caroline and Suzanne used to work side by side in the kitchen on the holiday.

Suzanne was always “rubbing the turkey and making the best gravy in the world,” Caroline added.

This year, Caroline took the reins. “I learned from the best and I will do my best to honor her and feed our family those familiar comforting flavors of Thanksgiving,” she told PEOPLE ahead of the big day.

The Step by step the actress had many “talents in the kitchen,” according to Caroline. In her recent cookbook, Served: from my family table to yourspublished before Suzanne’s death, Caroline wrote that Suzanne was “one of the best cooks I know.”

Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel visit Hallmark’s “Home & Family” on December 15, 2017.

David Livingston/Getty

“I have wonderful memories of her talents in the kitchen all my life,” wrote Caroline, who runs SuzanneSomers.com as president of the family business. “She understands flavors. She calls them ‘balls’ and that’s what I love about her.”

Caroline and Suzanne “made too many Thanksgiving feasts and amazing family meals to count,” Caroline wrote. “We bond in the kitchen — rub elbows, taste and adjust along the way.”

Suzanne Somers’ daughter-in-law Caroline shared her fondest memories of cooking with Suzanne before her death

The Three’s Company actress died at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 after breast cancer spread throughout her body, PEOPLE confirmed.

“She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years,” Somers’ publicist R. Couri Hay said in part at the time of her death.

Suzanne Somers’ family celebrates her birthday the day after her death.

Suzanne Somers/ Instagram

The official cause of death of Suzanne Somers revealed almost 2 weeks after the actress died at the age of 76.

A day later, on her 77th birthday, the family gathered to sing her “Happy Birthday” around a heart-shaped cake with candles.

“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 affected all of your lives,” reads the description of the video posted on her Instagram. “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.”

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Source: HIS Education