Estelle Getty, 84

Gay icon and perhaps the most beloved grandmother character in television history, Estelle "Sophia Petrillo" Getty died this morning at age 84 after suffering through several years of dementia. From her website today:

To all of Estelle's Fans,

Sadly, today July 22, 2008 at 5:35 a.m. Pacific Time, we said our last good-byes to our little friend Estelle, who passed away and made her journey to the great beyond. Although it was a trip that she never wanted to take, she went gracefully, in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by her family and her very loving care-givers.

Estelle's legacy will live on and on through the comedy and laughter she gave to us all, which will forever keep us laughing out loud.