Kirstie Alley died on December 5 at the age of 71 after a short battle with cancer. The legendary actress, who is popular for her film and television roles, found out about the illness that took her life only recently.

In a statement released by her family shortly after her passing, the actress was surrounded by close family members at the time of her death.

In their statement, they described her as an "incredible, fierce and loving mother" who had "fought with great strength" and had left them with "her never-ending joy of living."

Kirstie is an icon in the entertainment industry, and she was just as amazing as a mother and grandmother. Her family was thankful to the doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for taking care of their loved one after she fell ill.

Her two children wrote saying that their mom's zest and passion for life, her kids and grandkids, and her animals were without equal.

They also described their mother as having an eternal joy for creating. The famous icon left them with an inspiration to live their life to the fullest.

Alley gained fame as Rebecca Howe on Cheers between 1987 and 1993. She won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the role in 1991.

David's Mother helped her win a second Emmy award.

Her fans also got a chance to see her in the 80s film, Look Who's Talking, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and It Takes Two.

Alley left behind two kids, William True and Lillie Price.