Sound Of Music actress Heather Menzies-Urich, who played Louisa von Trapp opposite Julie Andrews in the 1965 film, dies at age 68 from cancer

Published: 16:25 GMT, 25 December 2017 | Updated: 22:08 GMT, 25 December 2017

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Heather Menzies-Urich has died at the age of 68.

The Canadian-born actress passed away on Sunday, Christmas Eve, with friends and family around her.

The star was best known for playing Louisa von Trapp in the 1965 classic movie musical The Sound Of Music with Julie Andrews.

Sd farewell: Heather Menzies-Urich has died at the age of 68; she is best known for playing Louisa von Trapp in 1965's The Sound Of Music

Gone too soon: Here she is seen with her costars in the movie musical; on top if Julie Andrews

Menzies-Urich was the widow of actor Robert Urich, pictured right, who died of cancer in 2002

The actress is pictured centre in the 1965 film Sound of Music with other cast members

'She was an actress, a ballerina and loved living her life to the fullest,' Heather‘s son Ryan told Variety.

'She was not in any pain but, nearly four weeks after her diagnosis of terminal brain cancer, she had enough and took her last breath on this earth at 7:22 pm.'

The Sound Of Music was the film that stood out on her resume.

Singing power: Also in the film was Christopher Plummer as Captain von Trapp. The movie was directed by Robert Wise

Cast: Louisa was the third oldest in a family of seven. The other children were played by Charmian Carr as Liesl, Nicholas Hammond as Friedrich, Duane Chase as Kurt, Angela Cartwright as Brigitta, Debbie Turner as Marta and Kym Karath as Gretl

She was only 14-years-old when she landed her role in the beloved movie.

Louisa was the third oldest in a family of seven.

The other children were played by Charmian Carr as Liesl, Nicholas Hammond as Friedrich, Duane Chase as Kurt, Angela Cartwright as Brigitta, Debbie Turner as Marta and Kym Karath as Gretl.

Her husband: She was married to actor Robert Ulrich, who died from cancer in 2002. He was best known for his role on the TV series Vegas

The film was a heartwarming story based on the real life story of the Von Trapp Family singers.

They were one of the world's best-known concert groups in the era immediately preceding World War II.

Andrews played the role of Maria, the governess in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children, and brings a new love of life and music into the home.