Sue Cameron remembers her late friend Suzanne Somers, who died on Sunday morning a day before her 77th birthday.
Cameron, who met Three’s Company star in 1975 when she was director of daytime television at ABC, says Somers was “pure happiness and joy” and shared the last email she received from the actress in April.
In the note, Somers reflected on her own journey with cancer and finding positivity in the face of adversity, writing, “I never dreamed that aging would be responsible for not being able to walk. I said [my husband] Alan [Hamel] last night that I should probably get a cane, but then I’d feel ‘old’. See, even now I can’t say ‘old’.”
Read the love letter that Suzanne Somers’ husband, Alan Hamel, wrote to her the day before she died
Suzanne Somers.
Somers wrote that she had a “big attitude check,” adding, “I found gratitude by filling my brain with positive things.”
“I’m happy that I was so sick and that my mobility was attacked realizing that being alive is a gift, the greatest gift, and I have great love, deep love, and I’m grateful,” she continued.
Tributes pour in for Suzanne Somers after actress’ death at 76: ‘Most glamorous person I’ve ever met’
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Hollywood secrets and scandals the author recalled how Somers was proud of continuing her career amid health problems.
“She was very, very proud [being a] survived,” she said. “She totally understood that and was very proud that she survived and was able to pursue an acting career and then create this other empire.”
Cameron also reflected on Somers’ early fame and how she fought for equality in Hollywood.
“She did American graffiti and her picture in that car in American graffiti he got everything,” she recalled. “When she got Three’s Companyshe exploded like a star, and she really was.”
Cameron noticed that Somers Three’s Company costar “John Ritter was wonderful and extremely talented, but Suzanne was the breakout star.”
Joyce DeWitt Sends Love to Suzanne Somers’ Family After Her Death: ‘My Heart Goes Out’ (Exclusive)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(785x0:787x2)/Joyce-DeWitt-sends-Love-to-suzanne-Somers-Family-101623-1-fe5dec2fe7a64ea597f7080716e5f46f.jpg)
Joyce DeWitt, John Ritter, Suzanne Somers from ‘Three’s Company’.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Somers died Sunday morning at the age of 76, her publicist R. Couri Hay confirmed 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 remarkable life and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education