Beloved Hollywood actress Anne Whitfield, best remembered for her role as Susan Waverly in the 1954 holiday classic White Christmas, has died at the age of 85 following what her family described as an “unexpected accident” near her Washington, D.C. home.

Whitfield’s family released a heartfelt statement, saying, “The life of Anne Langham Whitfield Phillips was a beautiful one, with every second used to uplift the world and those around her.”

Rising to fame as the sweet and charming granddaughter of Major General Waverly in White Christmas, Whitfield became a cherished figure in American cinema. Beyond her iconic film role, she also appeared in numerous television series throughout the 1950s and 1960s, earning a reputation for her grace and warmth on screen.

Her passing has left fans and fellow actors deeply saddened, marking the end of an era for one of Hollywood’s golden generation.

“She brought light to every scene she touched,” one admirer wrote. “The holidays will never feel quite the same without her.”