đź”— Share this article The Renowned Actress Pauline Collins, Star of Shirley Valentine, Passes Away at Eighty-Five Years Old Pauline Collins, widely recognized for her role in the film Shirley Valentine, has passed away at the age of 85. She died peacefully in her London residence, surrounded by her loved ones after battling Parkinson's for a number of years, as stated by her relatives. Collins will be best remembered for her portrayal of disgruntled housewife Shirley in Lewis Gilbert's acclaimed motion picture, adapted from the acclaimed stage play by Willy Russell. Her critically acclaimed performance won her the Golden Globe for outstanding actress as well as a Bafta. 'Charming and Witty' She appeared with her husband John Alderton in the series Upstairs Downstairs, appearing from 1971 to 1973 Her relatives released a statement saying: "Pauline was so many things to countless individuals, playing a variety of roles in her career. An intelligent, lively, and humorous figure on theater and film. Her illustrious career saw her portray leaders, parents, and royalty." "Her memory will endure as the iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise Shirley Valentine - a role that she made all her own. We knew all those aspects of her personality because her charm was embedded in every single role." The statement continued she was their "devoted mother, our beloved grandmother and great-grandmother", and her husband John Alderton's "eternal partner" "Kind, humorous, giving, considerate, intelligent, she was constantly supportive," they expressed, thanking her carers, who cared for her with "respect, empathy, and above all affection" "She experienced a more peaceful goodbye. We hope you will remember her at the peak of her career; radiant and energetic; and give us the space and privacy to reflect on life in her absence" Stage Success Collins first played the lead part of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theatre in the UK capital in 1988. She received that year's Olivier Award for outstanding actress. The following year she reprised the role on the New York stage, where she picked up numerous prizes including a esteemed Tony Award. The film of the same name was released later that year. Additional movie roles included the 1991 film City of Joy with actor Patrick Swayze, filmed in Calcutta, which brought her wider recognition globally. Born in Exmouth in 1940, Collins was raised near Liverpool and began her professional life as a educator. Her passion for theater inspired her to pursue acting on a side basis, and in 1957 she appeared briefly as a medical attendant in the TV series Emergency Ward 10. She featured in the film Secrets of a Windmill Girl in 1966, portraying an imaginary performer in a London adult entertainment venue, 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 a family of three, their sons and daughter. 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.