The American actress had been suffering from a meningioma, a tumour in the membranes around the brain and spinal cord.

Her son, Jonathan Peverall, confirmed her death on a GoFundMe page set up to help with expenses, and said she died at his home in Virginia, US.

Paying tribute to her talent as an actor as well as her ability to touch people's lives, he wrote: "Despite what I could only describe as her being 'difficult' at times, she was the best mother.

"She was also a doting grandmother, and her three grandchildren, who brought immense joy to her life, will miss her dearly."

Parady's most famous role was as teacher Alice Garvey in the popular western drama Little House On The Prairie.

She had narrowly missed out on playing the mother of the show, Caroline Ingalls - a part that ended up going to actress Karen Grassle.

Her character - who taught at Walnut Grove Church and School - appeared in three seasons of the show between 1977 and 1980.

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Teacher Garvey was eventually killed off, dying in a dramatic fire at the blind school after heroically running into the burning building to try to save a blind boy and baby.

Former NFL star Merlin Olsen had played Alice's husband, Jonathan Garvey, on the show.

Born Betty Sandhoff on 25 May 1945, in Berea, Ohio, Parady's first big break was in theatre, playing Stella opposite Jon Voight (father of Angelina Jolie) in a touring production of A Streetcar Named Desire.

TV roles aside from Little House On The Prairie included a guest appearance in The Waltons and the role of Principal Dimly in 90s sitcom Kenan and Kel.

Parady was married to Oscar-winning British film producer John Peverall.

She leaves behind her son Jonathan, and siblings, Patty, Kenny and Bobby.