Grease star Susan Buckner dies at home aged 72 as family shares heartbreaking news

Susan Buckner, best known for her role as Patty Simcox in Grease, has sadly died at the age of 72.

The actress's family explained how she died peacefully surrounded by her loved ones at home in Miami on May 2. She is survived by son Adam Josephs; daughter Samantha Mansfield; grandchildren Oliver, Riley, Abigal, and Ruby; her sister Linda; daughter-in-law Noel Josephs; son-in-law Adam Mansfield and her longtime partner Al.

She starred alongside Olivia Newton-John in the 1978 movie musical, Grease. In the film, she was a Rydell High cheerleader along with Sandy, played by the late Olivia, reports the Mirror.

Susan was seen enjoying lunch in the film and cheering on the school's sport team alongside Sandy. "Do the splits, give a yell! Show a little spirit for old Rydell!" she could be heard chanting in the film, "Way to go, red and white! Go Rydell, fight, fight, fight!"

She was born on January 28, 1952, in Seattle, Washington, and went on to be crowned Miss Washington in 1971 then went on to compete in the Miss America pageant the following year.

Susan appeared on variety shows like The Mac Davis Show, Sonny and Cher, and The Dean Martin Show before playing Patty Simcox. After, she appeared in television shows like The Love Boat, Starsky & Hutch, and The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries.

She also starred in Wes Craven's 1981 horror film Deadly Blessing with Sharon Stone. She was also in Police Academy 6: City Under Siege before stepping away from the spotlight to raise her family.

Her family is asking for donations to Miami's Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in her honor instead of sending flowers. "The light she brought into every room will be missed forever," her daughter Samantha said to PEOPLE, "She was magic, and I was very lucky to call her my best friend."

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