Her sad family said that the veteran actress died in a “unexpected accident” while she was out for a walk near her home in Washington, D.C.

The 1954 holiday classic White Christmas starred Whitfield as Susan Waverly.

Valley Memorial Hospital in Yakima, Washington, was where she died. Her family was there with her.

They wrote: “‘The life of Anne Langham Whitfield Phillips was a beautiful one, with every second used to uplift the world and those around her.”

“Through the kindness of neighbours who provided expert medical support, family had the gift to say goodbye and express love and gratitude, a gift we will always cherish.”

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