🔗 Share this article The Renowned Actress Pauline Collins, Star of the Film Shirley Valentine, Passes Away at Eighty-Five Years Old The celebrated actress Pauline Collins, best known for her performance in the film Shirley Valentine, has passed away at the age of 85. She died peacefully in her London residence, in the company of her family after battling Parkinson's disease for several years, as stated by her relatives. Her legacy will be defined for her depiction of unhappy homemaker Shirley in Lewis Gilbert's award-winning film, based on the celebrated theatrical production by Willy Russell. Her praised acting also earned her the Golden Globe for outstanding actress along with a BAFTA award. 'Witty Presence' Collins starred opposite her husband John Alderton in Upstairs Downstairs, featured between 1971 to 1973 Her relatives said in a statement: "She was a multifaceted person to so many people, playing a variety of roles in her life. A bright, sparky, witty presence on theater and film. 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 role that she made all her own. We knew all those parts of her because her charm was embedded in each one of them." The statement continued she was their "loving mum, our wonderful grandma and great-grandma", and actor John Alderton's "eternal partner" "Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was constantly supportive," they said, thanking her caregivers, who cared for her with "respect, empathy, and above all affection" "She experienced a calmer departure. We hope you will remember her at the height of her powers; so joyful and full of energy; and give us the space and privacy to contemplate a life without her" New York Theater She initially performed the lead part of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theater in London in 1988. She won that year's Olivier award for outstanding actress. The following year she returned to the character on Broadway, New York, where she earned several awards including a esteemed Tony Award. The movie adaptation was launched shortly after. Her other films included the 1991 film City of Joy with actor Patrick Swayze, shot in Kolkata, which brought her wider recognition globally. A native of Exmouth in 1940, Collins was raised near the city of Liverpool and began her professional life as a educator. Her love of the stage inspired her to pursue acting on a side basis, and in 1957 she had a cameo role 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 adult entertainment venue, the Windmill Theater. Following several theater parts, she used her Liverpool accent to secure a part on the show The Liver Birds. It was through acting that she met her husband John Alderton. They wed in 1969 and had a family of three, Nicholas, Kate, and Richard. The couple performed alongside each other in a number of television and film roles, such as Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she portrayed a servant in ITV's popular series.