Fans of the musical The Sound of Music received some very sad news yesterday when it was revealed that Heather Menzies-Urich, who played Louisa von Trapp, had sadly died of cancer on Christmas Eve.

The 68-year-old actress starred in the much-loved movie as a young girl and was just 15 when it was released in 1965. It went on to win no less than five Oscars, one of which was Best Picture.

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Appearing alongside Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, Heather’s role as the third von Trapp child saw her sing along to such hits as “Do-Re-Mi” and “So-Long, Farewell.” It rocketed her to stardom.

She went on to star in the Seventies TV series Logan’s Runs and a handful of films, although The Sound of Music remained her most famous work.

Speaking to TMZ, Heather’s son, Ryan, said of his mother, “She was an actress, a ballerina, and loved living her life to the fullest.”

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Kym Karath, who played the youngest von Trapp, Gretl, tweeted yesterday that she was filled with “infinite sadness” at the news. “My precious friend and SOM sister Heather Menzies passed away this evening. Devastated,” she added.

Heather’s death follows just over a year after that of Charmian Carr, who played the eldest von Trapp daughter, Liesl.

The Sound Of Music became the highest-grossing film of all time a year after its release, in 1966, surpassing even Gone With The Wind. It remains a firm favorite amongst music fans who will very much mourn the loss of these talented stars.

This post originally appeared on our sister site, Grazia Daily.