Jeanne Cooper has passed away at age 84. Her son Corbin Bernsen confirms the sad news that his mother died Wednesday morning on Twitter.

She is best known for her iconic role as Katherine Chancellor on The Young and the Restless which just celebrated its 40th year on Daytime TV.

Jeanne’s acting career began in the ’50s with her role in the Western The Redhead from Wyoming and she soon broke into TV, with a number of roles in Crossroads, Tales of Wells Fargo, Perry Mason and many more series.

The actress started her long-running role as the grand dame Mrs. C on Y&R in 1973 and had many storylines that mirrored her real life. She even had a facelift on camera in the mid-1980s.

Jeanne had 10 Daytime Emmy nominations, with one Emmy win in 2008 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. She also got two Primetime Emmy nominations, including for playing her real life son Corbin’s onscreen mother in L.A. Law.

She was hospitalized in April with an unknown illness and fans have been giving an outpouring of support ever since. Her character Katherine, too has been suffering from ill health on Y&R of late with a brain tumour.

Jeanne is survived by her three children, Corbin, Colin and Caren.

Corbin posted the following statement on his Facebook page today as well:

Wasn’t sure how I would have to say these words so I opt for simplicity at least to begin…

My mother passed away this morning just a short time ago, peaceful with my sister by her side, in her sleep. I was going to visit this afternoon, thought I had time. Reminder to self – time is a precious thing. I too am at peace however. I said my goodbyes several times over during the last few weeks. I’ll go one last time now for a gentle kiss a final farewell for this lifetime. She has been a blaze her entire life, that beacon, that boxer I spoke of earlier. She went the full twelve rounds and by unanimous decision… won! And while her light finally gave into the wind that gives flight to all our journeys, there will always be a glimmer left behind by what she stood for. I will speak about that more in coming days, months I suppose. I will certainly dedicate what remains of my life to continue her purpose of honesty, equality, humility, empathy and love. So many of you have said your prayers for her and right now, today, I can say the best way to honor her is to inhabit your lives with those things she stood for. I would ask that closer friends respectfully give us some time to find our family’s path in this transition, and please limit calls, emails and the rest for a couple of days. As always, your outpouring of love here on this page, is not only welcomed to continue but truly appreciated and comforting. I asked my sister what time she passed exactly, and she told me (not to important for public record) but I was working out and just happened to pick out a song for my final moments on the treadmill – “Everlasting Light”; by the Black Keys. Oh what a wonder it all is… what a magnificence!

When Joshua Morrow, who plays Nick Newman on Y&R, joined ET Canada for a live chat on Monday a fan asked if he had seen Mrs. C lately and he said: “I have not… but she is in my thoughts and prayers daily.”; When asked how she was doing, he said: “Prayers are needed.”;

After learning of Jeanne’s passing today, Joshua and other cast members are Tweeting about the sad news: