Shirley Mitchell died yesterday at the age of 94. She was most well-known to audiences as Marion Strong, the funny friend of Lucy Ricardo’s on the hit television show, I Love Lucy. She is believed to be the last surviving member of the cast, and the television world lost another star yesterday.

Mitchell’s sister-in-law, Nancy Olson, was the one who initially reported her death, and she passed away due to heart failure. She died at her condo in Westwood, California.

She was born in 1919 in Toledo, Ohio, and began her career as a radio star, where she met and became friends with Lucille Ball. Lucille Ball, of course, was the star of I Love Lucy, along with Desi Arnaz, a team that continues to make people laugh to this day, through reruns of the show.

Mitchell joined the show for the third season, which aired from 1953-1954, and appeared in only three episodes. She played the character of Marion, a character that was originally portrayed by Margie Liszt, and who set Lucy and Ricky up on their first date.

"I love Lucy" star Shirley Mitchell has died age 94. #ILoveLucy pic.twitter.com/E9h2IacIVG

— Tiffany Wertheimer (@TiffWertheimer9) November 14, 2013

We are saddened to learn that Shirley Mitchell, the actress who played Marion Strong in 'I Love Lucy' has passed away at the age of 94.

— Lucille Ball (@LucyDesiCenter) November 14, 2013

Throughout her career, Shirley Mitchell appeared in many television shows including Three’s Company, The Odd Couple, Dallas, and several others. She was an actress that was in high-demand throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and received roles in almost every big show from the time period.

She also appeared in a few films such as Jamboree, Big Business, and The War Of The Roses.

Shirley Mitchell, better known as "Marion Strong," last of the I Love Lucy regulars, dead at 94. Goodbye to her. pic.twitter.com/To2PhVcfGC

— Ɓenjamin Ɗreyer (@BCDreyer) November 14, 2013

Shirley Mitchell was the widow of Alan Livingston, a pop composer, and is survived by her two children, Scott and Brooke. She will be remembered as one of the comedic geniuses of television, and forever in the hearts of her family and friends, and anyone who watched the hit shows that she appeared on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7oZYXtRU2w

Image via Youtube