“The arrangements are being handled privately and that was Betty’s wish,” the actress’ agent, Jeff Witjas, noted in a statement to Us Weekly on Wednesday, January 5. “As in life, she never wanted people to make a fuss over her.”
In lieu of other tributes, Witjas suggested that fans donate to some of the causes and organizations the late actress was passionate about, including The Los Angeles Zoo, Tree People, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Wildlife Learning Center, Actors and Animals for Others, The Aquarium of the Pacific and Guide Dogs For the Blind.
The Golden Girls alum’s death made headlines on Friday, not long before she was set to turn 100. “[I’m] amazed,” she told Entertainment Tonight on December 29 of the milestone birthday. “No, seriously, I’m the luckiest broad on two feet to be as healthy as I am and to feel as good as I do!”
“The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation,” Ryan Reynolds, who worked alongside White on 2009’s The Proposal, tweeted on Friday. “She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret.”
