This is It: Bonnie Franklin Dead at 69

Image from source, Huffington Post

Though she hasn't been much in the limelight since One Day at a Time--the long-running feminist sitcom of the 70s and 80s--Bonnie Franklin has a warm spot in my pop culture heart. She was spunky and courageous, and stood up for herself, both as a character and as an actress. She's probably partly responsible for advancing the image of single-motherhood as difficult but not shameful. And dang it, she was just an awesome sitcom mom. While it's always unfortunate when the stars of our youth pass away, only a few--for me at least, a known cynic--elicit actual sadness. There are the kids like Heather O'Rourke, who are simply not supposed to die so young. There's Gilda Radner and Madeline Kahn, who died much too soon. There are even those like Rue McClanahan and Bea Arthur who lived long and full lives, who we are nonetheless sad to have taken from us. Bonnie Franklin fits somewhere in between, a reminder of mortality, and my rapidly encroaching elder years. RIP, Ms. Romano!

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Bonnie Franklin Dead: 'One Day At A Time' Star Dies At 6

Bonnie Franklin, the pert, redheaded actress who won fame as a divorced mom on the long-running sitcom "One Day at a Time," has died. Family member say she died Friday due to complications from pancreatic cancer. She was 69. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post


One Day at a Time also had one of my very favorite theme songs, one with a message that is relevant to anyone going through difficult times. . .

This is it. This is life, the one you get so go and have a ball.
This is it. Straight ahead and rest assured you can’t be sure at all.

So while you’re here enjoy the view keep on doing what you do
So hold on tight we'll muddle through One day at a time.

So up on your feet, somewhere there’s music playing.
Don’t you worry none, we’ll just take it like it comes.

One day at a time.

Good advice.