IN MEMORIAM : Celebrity Doris Day, 97, ‘Died Peacefully’ Surrounded by Her ‘Loved Ones,’ Says Manager

Paul McCartney grieved the star in a statement shared to his website, calling her “a true star in more ways than one.”

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“I had the privilege of hanging out with her on a few occasions,” the musician said in his statement. “Visiting her in her Californian home was like going to an animal sanctuary where her many dogs were taken care of in splendid style. She had a heart of gold and was a very funny lady who I shared many laughs with.”

“I will miss her but will always remember her twinkling smile and infectious laugh as well as the many great songs and movies she gave us,” he added. “God bless Doris.”

Carl Reiner said he had recently reached out to Day, the female lead of the 1963 film he wrote, “The Thrill of It All.”

“Just a week ago, I contacted her and welcomed her to the 97 Year Actor’s Club.”

Goldie Hawn saw Day as a bright light.

“The great Doris Day left us and took a piece of the sun with her,” she tweeted. “May she rest peacefully.”

“For those of us in my generation, Doris Day was synonymous with Hollywood icon,” wrote George Takei. “She would no doubt remind us, upon this day of her passing, ‘Que sera sera,’ but we will miss her dearly anyway. Rest now in our hearts forever, Ms. Day.”

The Humane Society of the United States remembered Day with a statement reflecting on her decades of animal activism, announcing the creation of a new fund in her honor.

 

“With the passing of legendary actress, singer and animal advocate Doris Day, the world has lost a generous and kind soul,” wrote Kitty Block, the organization’s CEO and president. “While I am mourning the loss of a woman whose grace, talent and compassion enriched my life and the lives of so many others, I want to celebrate the amazing life that Doris led and memorialize her work for animals.”

“Continuing her legacy of protecting animals, the Humane Society of the United States is creating the Doris Day Memorial Fund to support the ongoing efforts to protect the animals she cared for so deeply. Contributions will support programs to end horse slaughter and cosmetics testing on animals, to stop puppy mills, to spay and neuter pets, and to fund all of the organization’s animal protection efforts.”

The Doris Day Animal League, founded in 1987, posted a statement to its Facebook page.

“Doris was truly a voice for the voiceless among us, and one of the world’s most-loved and most-honored women–a bright and beautiful champion for the cause of animal welfare, and a dear, dear friend to us all,” the statement read.

“As you remember Doris today, give a thought to the animals she cared for so deeply.”

Similarly, PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange also mourned her passing while remembering Day’s love for animals.

“Doris Day was a silver screen and singing legend, but PETA will always remember her for her most important role: animal champion,” the Lange said in a statement issued to USA TODAY. “She personally rescued, fostered, and found loving homes for hundreds of animals; founded an organization to stop animal homelessness through spaying and neutering; and formed the Doris Day Animal League, which joined PETA in opposing cruel chemical tests on animals. Day was a warm, kind, generous person, and she will be missed by all of us here at PETA.”

Among the many other celebrities commemorating Day’s life and legacy was William Shatner, who offered his condolences to Day’s relatives.

“She was the World’s Sweetheart and beloved by all,” he wrote.

Seth MacFarlane praised Day as a “great Hollywood talent,” and encouraged his followers to “appreciate” her talents in a clip shared from the 1955 movie “Love Me or Leave Me.”

“The one, the only, the woman who inspired so much of what I do… Doris Day I love you, my calamity Jane,” Stella McCartney wrote on Twitter. “An iconic woman who I was hugely honoured to meet and share precious moments with. Rest in peace x”

Stella McCartney

✔@StellaMcCartney

The one, the only, the woman who inspired so much of what I do… Doris Day I love you, my calamity Jane. An iconic woman who I was hugely honoured to meet and share precious moments with. Rest in peace x

Sharing a GIF of the star, Antonio Banderas expressed his gratitude: “Thank you for your talent.”

 

Antonio Banderas

✔@antoniobanderas

Thank you for your talent.
R.I.P.#DorisDay

The Academy remembered Day’s “humor, extraordinary talent and kind heart.”

The Academy

✔@TheAcademy

Today, we remember Doris Day, who brought us so much joy with her humor, extraordinary talent and kind heart. Farewell to a Hollywood legend.

“She was one of a kind,” Katie Couric posted, reflecting on the “Pillow Talk” star.

Nina Garcia, Elle’s editor in chief, shared a quote attributed to Day.

” ‘I like joy; I want to be joyous; I want to have fun on the set; I want to wear beautiful clothes and look pretty. I want to smile, and I want to make people laugh. And that’s all I want. I like it. I like being happy. I want to make others happy,’ ” Garcia tweeted. “RIP Doris Day.”

Nina Garcia

✔@ninagarcia

“I like joy; I want to be joyous; I want to have fun on the set; I want to wear beautiful clothes and look pretty. I want to smile, and I want to make people laugh. And that’s all I want. I like it. I like being happy. I want to make others happy”
RIP Doris Day.

Luke Evans bid Day farewell, writing on Twitter, “Goodbye Doris Day, there was only one of you! I have always loved your voice and the beautiful songs you made eternal. RIP.”

Piers Morgan shared kind words for Day: “Fabulous life, fabulous star, fabulous woman.”

Piers Morgan

✔@piersmorgan

RIP Doris Day, 97.
Fabulous life, fabulous star, fabulous woman.

Contributing: Jayme Deerwester