"Golden Girl" Estelle Getty has gone to the big lanai in the sky and died at the age of 84, just three days shy of her 85th birthday.

Estelle passed away at 5:35 AM this morning at her L.A. home surrounded by her family and caregivers. Getty had been suffering for years with Lewy Body Dementia.

Although one year younger than Bea Arthur, Estelle is best known for playing her wise-cracking Sicilian mother Sophia Petrillo on "The Golden Girls." Co-star Betty White is also one year older than Estelle.

Getty is survived by her two adult sons.

:( Aw man...How sad! :rose: RIP

I love Estelle Getty! I am gonna miss her, she had such spunk on The Golden Girls. :bigcry:

:( wow....just...wow :(

She had been making a sad decline into dementia for a while. I hope it was a peaceful passing.

Aww man!! :cry: She was awesome! RIP Mrs. Getty

Goodbye, Estelle... we'll never forget you or Sophia Petrillo... :(

Very sad indeed. RIP Estelle Getty :rose:

RIP to everyone's favorite Golden Girl. :rose:

Oh no! :cry:

This is sad news indeed. Goodbye Estelle. :(

truly sad news.. RIP

Whenever I'd sit down and watch Golden Girls with Chooch....Sophia was always my favorite character! Estelle pulled off that role flawlessly!!! R.I.P. Estelle Getty! You will be missed.