Florence Henderson’s Friends, Co-Stars Gather for ‘Beautiful’ Memorial at TV Academy

Speakers included “Judge” Judy Shendlin, Carol Burnett and Maureen McCormick

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“Brady Bunch” icon Florence Henderson was remembered by friends, family and colleagues at a memorial held at the Television Academy in North Hollywood, California on Sunday.

Speakers included Judge Judy Sheindlin, Carol Burnett, Maureen McCormick, Tom Bergeron and Katie Couric, according to an individual who attended the memorial, who described it as “beautiful.”

Burnett shared with the gathered crowd a story of how Henderson used hypnotherapy to help Burnett’s daughter Carrie Hamilton — who died of lung cancer in 2002 — manage her pain.

Henderson’s children also spoke at the event, sharing how loved they felt despite having to share Henderson, who starred on the beloved sitcom “The Brady Bunch,” with her fans around the world.

Henderson’s on-screen daughter, Maureen McCormack, who played Marcia Brady on the ABC sitcom, described her as “the loveliest of ladies.”

The speakers also shared fond recollections of Henderson’s bawdy sense of humor. The actress was remembered as a woman who didn’t away from surprising people with the occasional dirty joke.

Shendlin described her 20-year friendship with Henderson. She told attendees that Henderson would send her husband, Jerry Shendlin, a dozen cards on his birthday every year. However, last year Henderson sent them a text message ahead of Jerry’s November 19 birthday, saying she “wasn’t feeling well” and that the cards would be late.

A native of Indiana, Henderson worked on both stage and screen before winning worldwide fame as Carol Brady, the widowed mother of three girls and stepmom to three boys, on the iconic ABC series “The Brady Bunch.” She died last year on Thanksgiving Day at the age of 82.

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Reid Nakamura

TV reporter • reid.nakamura@thewrap.com • Twitter: @reidnakamura

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