Photo:NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Hersha Parady, best known for her role onLittle House on the Prairie, hasdied. She was 78.
The actress’s son, Jonathan Peverall, confirmed her death toThe Hollywood Reporter. She died on Wednesday at Peverall’s home in Norfolk, Virginia. (PEOPLE has reached out to Peverall for further comment.)
Before her death, Parady had suffered from a brain tumor known as meningioma. According to theMayo Clinic, meningioma is the most common type of tumor that forms in the head. It also occurs more frequently in women and is often discovered at older ages.
Parady’s son launched aGoFundMe campaignlast month to aid with the cost of growing medical expenses. He hoped the fundraising efforts would succeed in “improving” her “quality of life and giving her the support she needs during this difficult time.” He also noted that the campaign was about “showing her that she is not alone in her fight.”
“This illness has robbed her of her strength, her memory, and sadly, her vibrant personality. She has become largely bedridden, and it is very difficult to see my Mom, who was once full of life and energy, now struggling with basic daily activities,” Peverall wrote at the time. “Upon seeing her condition during a recent visit to her home in Van Nuys, we decided to move her from Los Angeles to live with me and my family in Virginia, and while we are working to ensure she gets the medical help she needs, the costs associated with her care are mounting.”
“We’re looking at surgery to hopefully improve her condition, but the road to recovery is a long one, and the costs go beyond just medical,” he continued. “From moving expenses to in-home nursing care, to medical equipment and more, the financial burden is significant. And with a full time job and three kids, providing her with the level of care she needs is difficult. Rest assured, we are taking care of her to the best of our ability, and we will continue to do so, regardless of any contributions made here.”
Hersha Parady/Facebook
Parady joinedLittle House on the Prairiein its fourth season, which premiered in September 1977. The late actress was introduced as Alice Garvey alongside former NFL star Merlin Olsen, who played Alice’s husband Jonathan Garvey. She remained on the popular NBC series through season 6, when her character died in a fire.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
source: people.com
