It is with deep sadness that we learned this Sunday of the passing of Shannen Doherty, the unforgettable icon of famous series such as Little House on the Prairie (1982-1983), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-1994), and Charmed (1998-2001).
Six months before her death, Shannen Doherty had courageously dedicated an episode of her podcast to her own funeral. Departed at only 53 years old, she shared her last wishes there.
During her decade-long fierce battle against cancer, Shannen often spoke about her end of life. In an episode of her podcast Let’s Be Clear, released in January, the actress described the type of farewell she wanted.
The interpreter of Prue Halliwell in Charmed insisted on her desire to be cremated and that her ashes be mixed with those of her father and her dog. She wanted her loved ones to scatter them in a healthy manner at Malibu Beach, where she had spent precious moments with her late father.
She also wished for her funeral to be held with few guests and without tears, to avoid the presence of people she considered hypocritical. She preferred that her ashes be used to plant a tree, symbolizing life after death.
During her podcast, Doherty also confided about the impact of her future passing on Rosa, her mother, to whom she wanted to make things easier by anticipating the consequences of her upcoming death. The multimillionaire had even organized the sale of her personal furniture to lighten her mother’s tasks and allow her to take a vacation.
The death of Shannen Doherty deeply affected the public and her series partners like Beverly Hills 90210 and Charmed. Many tributes were paid, and her friends and colleagues from the set shared their grief.
Jason Priestley described Shannen as "a force of nature" and expressed his sadness and shock. Brian Austin Green paid tribute to his friend by highlighting the importance of their relationship. Jennie Garth spoke of their sincere and authentic relationship despite their conflicts. Tori Spelling expressed her sorrow without finding the right words. Gabrielle Carteris compared the loss of Shannen to that of Luke Perry, while Carol Potter, her on-screen mother, praised her courage and perseverance.
In Charmed, Alyssa Milano acknowledged her complicated relationship with the strong-willed actress but expressed all her respect and admiration for the sincere Shannen. Rose McGowan and Brian Krause also shared moving tributes, highlighting the strength and impact of this actress who will forever remain, for millions of fans around the world, their Brenda Walsh or their Jenny Wilder.
