Oh, Bea Arthur (née Bernice Frankel). How we loved your characters: Maude in the All in the Family spin-off, Maude and Dorothy in the Golden Girls. How we loved your husky voice, your gentle, but snappy and sardonic demeanor. You were a fabulous, most glamourous big mama butch role model. You leave mighty big pantsuits to fill.

And who knew? You were a Marine! One of the corp’s first female recruits.

You are loved, Bea Arthur: Rest in peace.

This article appears in April 24 • 2009.

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