Classic television actress Bridget Hanley has passed away. Hanley, who may be best known for her role as the wholesome Candy Pruitt on the ABC series Here Come the Brides in the late 60s and early 70s, reportedly died on Wednesday after a battle with Alzheimer's disease. The actress had been living at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills. She was 80 years old.

“Bridget was funny, with a sharp sense of humor, and she had a great laugh,” Theatre West artistic board member Dina Morrone said in a statement, per The Hollywood Reporter. “Brilliant onstage and onscreen. A gem of a human being and performer. She brought so much light and energy when she walked into the room. And she was very beautiful, kind and generous. Thank you, Bridget, for gracing us with your presence for so many years, both on and off the stage.”

Bridget Hanley was born on Feb. 3, 1941. After high school, she studied drama at the San Francisco College for Women before graduating with honors and a B.A. in drama at the University of Washington. She began her acting career on stage which led to great success when she played the lead role of Robin for years in the touring production of Under the Yum Yum Tree.

In 1965, Hanley nabbed her first TV role with a part in Hank. She collaborated with Screen Gems frequently on other classic television shows such as Gidget, The Farmer's Daughter, Love on a Rooftop, Bewitched, and I Dream of Jeannie. It was also during this time working with Screen Gems when she met filmmaker E. W. Swackhamer, whom she later married. They had two daughters, and Swackhamer died in 1994.

Here Come the Brides debuted in 1968 and starred Hanley in the lead role of Candy Pruitt. The classic series was inspired by the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, loosely based upon Asa Mercer's efforts to relocate single women from the east coast of the United States to old Seattle in the 1860s at a time when the ravages of the Civil War left those towns short of available suitors. The comedy western also starred Robert Brown, David Soul, Bobby Sherman, Mark Lenard, and Joan Blondell.

After two seasons of Here Come the Brides, Hanley was later cast in the Harper Valley PTA series based on the movie of the same name. That show, which also starred Barbara Eden in a lead role, featured Hanley as snooty Ohioan Wanda Reilly Taylor. Hanley followed this up with appearances in other TV shows like Mama's Family, Murder, She Wrote, Family Matters, and Columbo.

Away from performing, Bridget Hanley was also instrumental in restoring the landmark Edmonds Log Cabin, a structure that had been built in the 1930s and donated to her hometown by her family in 1975. After falling into disrepair, it was fully restored and rededicated on Nov. 18, 2000, thanks in part to the efforts of Hanley and her sisters leading a drive to save the cabin.

Our thoughts are with Hanley's family and friends at this painful time. May she rest in peace.