Beth Howland died aged 74 on New Years Eve of cancer and didn't have a funeral

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Beth Howland passed away after battling lung cancer
Husband Charles Kimbrough shared the news, saying she did not want a funeral service or memorial
She is best known for her work on Alice and in the original Broadway company of Stephen Sondheim's Company
She leaves behind a daughter from her first marriage

Published: 09:23 EST, 25 May 2016 | Updated: 10:07 EST, 25 May 2016

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Beth Howland passed away more than five months ago on New Year's Eve at the age of 74 after battling lung cancer, her husband revealed on Tuesday.

Charles Kimbrough added that the actress, best known for playing the role of Vera Louise Gorman on the classic sitcom Alice, requested no funeral or memorial take place.

In addition to her husband she also leaves behind a daughter from her first marriage to actor Michael J. Pollard.

Comedy legend: Beth Howland (left in 1980) passed away aged 74 on New Year's Eve. She was best known for her work on the sitcom Alice (right)

Partner: Her husband Charles Kimbrough (above in 1997) shared the news, saying she did not want a funeral service or memorial

In addition to her years on Alice, which landed her four Golden Globe nominations for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television, Howland was also a major Broadway star.

She made her debut on the Great White Way in 1959 as Lady Beth in Once Upon A Mattress, starring opposite comedy legend Carol Burnett.

She later originated the role of Amy in Stephen Sondheim's Company, starring alongside Elaine Stritch and her future husband Kimbrough.

Howland stepped away from the spotlight in later years, save the occasional guest appearance on shows including Murder, She Wrote, The Tick and Sabrina, The Teenage Witch.

She was also the executive producer of the 1989 documentary You Don’t Have to Die about a 6-year-old boy's successful battle against cancer which won an Academy Award in 1989 for best short-subject documentary.

When asked about her deicison to not have a funeral, Kimbrough told The New York Times: 'It was the Boston side of her personality coming out. She didn’t want to make a fuss.'