Reactions to the death of Doris Day

“Bravo wonderful Doris Day on a life beautifully lived.”

— Mitzi Gaynor, via Twitter

NEW YORK >> Fans and friends offer tributes to Doris Day, who died Monday at age 97.

“Oh Ms. Day, A Cincinnati girl just like me. How many letters I drafted to you and didn’t send. I could never get it right but they all said the same thing, I love you. Millions did and do. Godspeed. RIP” — Sarah Jessica Parker, via Instagram.

“I had the privilege of hanging out with her on a few occasions. Visiting her in her Californian home was like going to an animal sanctuary where her many dogs were taken care of in splendid style. She had a heart of gold and was a very funny lady who I shared many laughs with,” Paul McCartney, in a statement on his website.

“In 1987, Doris Day founded one of the first national animal protection organization dedicated to legislative remedies for the worst animal abuse. Her foresight in this space has led to dozens of bills, final rules and policies on the federal level being enacted to end the horror “crush” videos, permanently retire chimpanzees from invasive research, reform the Toxic Substances Control Act to promote nonanimal, 21st century methods to replace animal testing and ensure that commercial breeders selling puppies over the Internet to the public are licensed and regulated. She is an icon in the animal protection world and will be sorely missed for her singular advocacy,” a statement by Sara Amundson, executive director of the Doris Day Animal League.

“Bravo wonderful Doris Day on a life beautifully lived. Thank you for the great gifts you shared with all of us, they will live forever,” Mitzi Gaynor, via Twitter.

“I was saddened to learn that Doris Day, who starred in a film I had written ‘The Thrill Of It All.’ had passed away at 97. Just a week ago, I contacted her and welcomed her to the 97 Year Actor’s Club,” Carl Reiner, via Twitter.

“For those of us in my generation, Doris Day was synonymous with Hollywood icon. She would no doubt remind us, upon this day of her passing, “Que sera sera,” but we will miss her dearly anyway,” George Takei, via Twitter.

“The great Doris Day left us and took a piece of the sun with her. She brightened our lives and lived out her life with dignity. May she rest peacefully,” Goldie Hawn, via Twitter.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Actress and animal rights activist Doris Day poses for photos after receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award she was presented with at the annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. Day, whose wholesome screen presence stood for a time of innocence in ‘60s films, has died, her foundation says. She was 97.