Kirstie Alley has died after a short battle with cancer. The Cheers actress was 71. 

Her children True and Lillie Parker shared the news on Dec. 5, writing in a statement posted to her Twitter page, "We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered." 

Kirstie was "surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead," her children wrote. "As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother." 

After thanking the staff at Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida for their care, True and Lillie reflected on Kirstie's legacy. 

"Our mother's zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating," they said, "were unparalleled and leave us inspiring to live life to the fullest just as she did."

Kirstie had her breakout role playing Rebecca Howe in NBC's Cheers from 1987 to 1993, which won her an Emmy and Golden Globe Award.