'Coach' star Shelley Fabares' cause of death laid bare

Shelley Fabares, star of Coach and The Donna Reed Show, died after suffering from pneumonia.

The late actress' family revealed the cause of her death to People Thursday, as it was also revealed that the sitcom star underwent a liver transplant in 2000 after she was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis.

Shelley's husband, Mike Farrell, was first to confirm her demise. She was 82.

Her M*A*S*H star husband said in the statement, "To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter, and comfort.

"She was a devoted wife, cherished stepmother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, family member, and loyal friend whose warmth, generosity, humour, and grace made an enduring difference in the lives of everyone who knew her. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for.”

"But to those closest to her, her greatest legacy was personal: the love she gave so freely, the friendships she treasured, and the family bonds she held dear,” they further wrote.

Shelley is known for her role in the ABC sitcom Coach, in which she played the role of Christine Armstrong across its nine seasons.

She was also a singer and had a number 1 song, Johnny Angel, in 1962.