Actress Sian Barbara Allen has died aged 78. The star appeared in American historical drama TV series The Waltons as well as films You’ll Like My Mother and Billy Two Hats.

She died in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Monday, after a battle with Alzheimer’s.

Paying tribute after announcing the news of her death, her family said: ‘Sian was most often cast in roles in which her characters showed great vulnerability and uncommon empathy, which won her a legion of fans all over the world.’

They added: ‘Sian’s favorite things in the world were her family, mystery books, C-SPAN, poetry, all things Ireland, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon’s Graceland album, mac and cheese, root beer floats and bacon cheeseburgers (no lettuce or tomato).