The Waltons star Sian Barbara Allen has died at the age of 78. Most famed for her role in the American historical drama series, Sian also popped up in films like You'll Like My Mother and Billy Two Hats. She died on Monday (March 31) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, ater a battle with Alzheimer's.

Her family said: "Sian was most often cast in roles in which her characters showed great vulnerability and uncommon empathy, which won her a legion of fans all over the world. Sian’s favorite things in the world were her family, mystery books, C-SPAN, poetry, all things Ireland, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon’s Graceland album, mac and cheese, root beer floats and bacon cheeseburgers (no lettuce or tomato)."

The statement added: "She lived her final year of life in North Carolina, surrounded by all of her favorite things, new friends, and more time with [her daughter] Emily than she’d had in 35 years."

Sian's last on-screen appearance came in 1990, when she appeared in an episode of LA Law. She then withdrew from public life and focused on poetry and politics. She is survived by her daughter Emily, her two sisters Hannah and Meg, her nephew and her ex-husband Peter Gelblum.

Now fans have been paying tribute to the acting legend, with one penning: "I have often thought of Sian Barbara Allen and wondered where she went... she made an indelible mark on my young brain watching her in various TV shows and of course, You'll Like My Mother."

Another said: "Sian was one of my first FB friends. I was just writing about her to her sister and how she was mentored in her acting career by Richard Chamberlain who had just passed himself. Fairly recently she wanted to get in touch with him to thank him. She will be so missed, a lovely lady. She wanted to write about the time she lived with Bette Davis but never got around to it. Again, a lovely lady."

Her daughter Emily asked fans that, in lieu of a service for her mother, she wants them to honour her mum in different ways, suggesting: "Donate to a local, grassroots organization working to combat systems of oppression.

"Donate to AuthoraCare Collective Hospice of Burlington who ensured Sian spent her final months peaceful and free of pain. Please consider directing your gift to support patients and families needing financial assistance to provide for loved ones."

Other suggestions included: "Read your favorite book in bed", "Listen to the entire Graceland album or any of Bob Dylan's music", and "Eat some mac and cheese, a bacon cheeseburger or drink a rootbeer float."