đŸ”— Share this article Pauline Collins, Lead Actress of Shirley Valentine, Dies at 85 Pauline Collins, widely recognized for her role in the movie Shirley Valentine, has died at the age of 85. Her passing was peaceful in her London residence, in the company of her loved ones after battling Parkinson's disease for several years, as stated by her family. Her legacy will be defined for her portrayal of unhappy homemaker Shirley in Lewis Gilbert's acclaimed motion picture, adapted from the acclaimed stage play by Willy Russell. Her praised acting also earned her the Golden Globe for outstanding actress as well as a Bafta. 'Charming and Witty' Collins starred opposite her spouse John Alderton in Upstairs Downstairs, featured between 1971 to 1973 Her relatives said in a statement: "She was a multifaceted person to countless individuals, playing a variety of roles in her career. A bright, sparky, witty presence on stage and screen. Her distinguished work saw her portray leaders, parents, and royalty." "She will always be remembered as the iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise Shirley Valentine - a part she completely owned. We were familiar with all those parts of her because her charm was embedded in every single role." The statement continued she was their "loving mum, our wonderful grandma and great-grandmother", and actor John Alderton's "life-long love" "Kind, humorous, giving, considerate, intelligent, she was always there for us," they expressed, appreciating her caregivers, who looked after her with "dignity, compassion, and most of all love" "She could not have had a more peaceful goodbye. We ask that you recall her at the peak of her career; radiant and energetic; and give us the space and privacy to contemplate a life without her" Broadway Role She initially performed the title role of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theatre in the UK capital in 1988. She received that year's Olivier award for best actress. The following year she returned to the character on Broadway, New York, where she earned several awards including a prestigious Tony award. The movie adaptation was launched shortly after. Her other films included 1991's City of Joy with Patrick Swayze, shot in Kolkata, which brought her wider recognition worldwide. Born in Exmouth in 1940, she grew up near Liverpool and started out her career as a educator. Her love of the stage led her to take up acting on a part-time basis, and in 1957 she appeared briefly as a medical attendant in the Emergency Ward 10. She starred in the film Secrets of a Windmill Girl in 1966, portraying an imaginary performer in a London striptease nightclub, the Windmill Theatre. After a number of stage roles, she used her Liverpool accent to secure a part on The Liver Birds. It was through acting that she met her husband John Alderton. They wed in 1969 and had three children, Nicholas, Kate, and Richard. The couple performed together in a number of television and film roles, such as Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she played a maid in ITV's popular series.