Fans of the classic movie Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory are in mourning this week after it was revealed that Diana Sowle, who starred as Charlie’s mother Helen Buckett, passed away last Friday. She was 88 years-old.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of beloved friend, family member and actress Diana Sowle at the age of 88,” Sowle’s agent said in a statement. “Diana passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, October 19, with family by her side. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and will be dearly missed.”

In an interview a few years ago, Sowle opened up about how she scored the part in the 1971 film.

“Well I basically auditioned for it. My husband and I were living in Germany at the time. My husband worked for the government,” she explained. “I have been producing plays and we toured in what were known as the America houses. They are like cultural centres. They were just finding out who was around in Germany. One day, I got a call-in to audition for it and that was it.”

Sowle also praised Gene Wilder, who starred as Willy Wonka in the film.

“He was so nice, he never acted like, ‘Oh I’m a bigger star than the rest of you,’ he was always friendly and courteous and funny and told nice stories,” she said. “He never bragged about himself at all and I’m very sorry he passed away because I think he was a great talent and was liked by many many people.”

Sowle only appeared in two other movies, Clear and Present Danger and Guarding Tess, both of which were released in 1994. She lived with her husband in Washington D.C. until he died in 2013.

Rest in peace, Diana Sowle!