Judy Farrell was seen clutching her children's hands before taking her last breath on April 2, 2023.
Judy Farrell, known for her role as Nurse Able in the hit sitcom M*A*S*H, passed away at 84 on April 2, 2023. The stroke left her unable to talk, but she was fully aware and was seen clutching her children's hands before taking her last breath, per NY Post. Judy's daughter, Erin Farrell, celebrated her life and took to Instagram to share about her mother's passing.
She posted a photo with Judy smiling at the camera and captioned it, "She was the embodiment of love, kindness, laughter, and strength." She went on to say that although she would miss her mother terribly, she was glad to have had Judy to guide her through life.
"She inspired me every day, she made me laugh, she challenged me, she was so much fun, and she made me so proud to be her daughter," she added. Judy shared her two children with her co-actor and ex-husband Mike Farrell. The two met on the sets of M*A*S*H and then went on to work on several occasions together. Mike Farrell is known for playing surgeon, Captain B.J. Hunnicut, on the hit sitcom, alongside Alan Alda as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce.
Mike and Judy dated for a while before tying the knot in August 1963. The pair welcomed their first child, their daughter Erin, in March of the same year. A few years later in 1970, they had a son named Michael. Recalling his initial days as a father in his autobiography, Just Call Me Mike, he wrote about the crucial labor hours when he was right there "providing ice chips and keeping her on track with the breathing." Back in the 60s, it was unheard of for the husband to stand by the woman when she was having a child.
The two of them were together for more than 20 years, raising their children and living their lives. Mike talked about how their marriage was more of a social pressure and because of the hurried actions the marriage started to crumble after a few years. Mike turned towards therapy which really helped him in the long run and he confessed that "I want to get her back and get my life together."
M*A*S*H fans may recognize her as Nurse Able from her multiple episodes. The actress and writer was 84 years old.https://t.co/d7P6NhNO0R
— MeTV (@MeTV) April 4, 2023
The two eventually did go through the divorce. The actor also opened up about their divorce and called the whole process "very tough." He said, "The whole process was a wrenching, deeply painful ordeal for all involved." Luckily, the two parents found a way to raise their kids together amicably. After their separation, Judy went on to marry again in 1985 and tied the knot with Joe Bratcher whom she met while he was making a career as a writer. Mike also proposed to Shelley Fabares in Topanga Canyon, and the actress said yes.
The two were blissfully married to their respective new partners but it was reported that the kids faced problems adjusting to their stepmother. Mike recalls that those days were indeed stressful but now Erin has taken to introducing her family as "all four of my parents."
References:
https://nypost.com/2023/04/04/mash-star-judy-farrell-dead-nurse-able-actress-was-84/
Cover Image Source: (L) Getty Images | Michael Tullberg ; (R) CBS
