As you know, in this household we watch sitcoms. One of the ones I grew up with in the early 90’s was Golden Girls. We used to watch the re-runs often, even after the series had long ended. We still do, this is why the news of Betty White’s passing brings such a dreary end to 2021. It’s as sad as it is poetic…

Betty White was known for her philanthropy as well as her robust acting career. Really though, she was a pioneer for the small screen in many different ways. Her acting career alone spanned seven decades… that just blows my mind… but that was Betty White for you. Honestly, I don’t recall a time when I didn’t see her on television, either through re-run programming or new sitcom line-ups.

Betty’s first credited appearance on television was in “A Time to Kill” a 1945 television short. However, you may remember her more aptly as Sue Ann Nivens from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” or as Rose Nylund in “The Golden Girls” and the spin-off series “The Golden Palace“. These are the shows I enjoy most fondly.

Let’s keep it real, here… Betty White had a firm hand in the television industry any way you slice it. She was among the first women to showcase her skill both in front of the camera and behind it too. Her efforts coined her the honorary mayor of Hollywood in 1955. She’s also known as “the First Lady of television”.

This isn’t hyperbole, it’s true… this is how beloved Betty White is. She acted, produced, directed and even wrote for shows. She was doing most of that back in a time when women were just stepping into that kind of limelight.

Speaking on that, for her 100th birthday, a special movie event was planned. It’s still going to air. Apparently it’s called “Betty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration” so here’s to hoping it celebrates everything her life was and all the wonderful things she gave to us as fans.

As for me, well… this post is all I can do. This woman was in every conceivable way a spectacular and influential person. Sadly, all I’ve got to go by are my own memories of sitting in front of the television with dinner in my lap and my family at my side. Those memories aren’t something I’ll soon forget. I hold onto them fondly, and now that the final Golden Girl, Betty White, has passed on it truly feels like the end of an era.

That’s the thing that sticks out to me the most, I think. It was nearly poetic how she passed away on New Years Eve, as though to pass the torch to the younger up-coming generations of sitcom stars. Ninety-nine years, and strangely it still seems all too soon.

Rest in peace, Betty… and it’s true, you can rest now. You’ve done so much, for so many. For every animal you rescued, thank you. For your massive contributions to “Guide Dogs for the Blind” and every other cause you worked to support over the years, thank you. For every half an hour on a weeknight that you lit up the television screen, and every memory you gave to families around the world, thank you…

Your fans will hold you in our hearts for years to come. So rest in peace.