Betty White, world renowned actress, peacefully passed away around 9:30 am on December 31st 2021.  She was 99 years old, only 17 days from her 100th birthday.

December 31st was a very sad day for The Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Lorax fans. Betty White was in many films and was the first woman to work both in front of and behind the camera. In fact, on January 17th, 2022, there had been plans to show a special movie in theaters to celebrate her 100th birthday. This event will continue as scheduled, though now in honor of her life as well as to recognize her birthday.

During the 100 years White was alive, she was involved in activism. On “The Betty White show” she frequently featured Arthur Duncan, a gifted African American tap dancer who was extremely discriminated against. The television executives threatened to cancel the show if he was not let go, because of his race. White refused to fire Duncan. As a result, she lost the show and her elevated producer status, but she stuck to her guns–the true definition of an ally.

White was also a huge supporter of women’s, animals’, and LGBTQ+ rights. She was a vivid, living example of a strong woman.

Betty wanted to keep her death arrangements private. Her whole life had been public and she simply wanted to rest in peace. In such a hard time, there is a little sparkle of light to shine on Betty White’s death. It was publicly revealed by her assistant that White’s last word was the name of her husband, who passed away in 1981, “Allen”. Perhaps in her last moments, Betty White had a vision of her beloved.  Maybe she simply had a feeling that she would be seeing the love of her life again soon. It offers a sense of peace to think that, at the end, she found love.

Rest in peace Betty White, you will be missed.