Actress Susan Buckner, from the film “Grease”, dies at age 72 in the USA

Susan Buckner best known for playing bubbly Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the classic 1978 musical film, “Grease” died at the age of 72.

Buckner “died peacefully” on May 2 and was “surrounded by loved ones,” according to a statement sent to CNN this Tuesday (7) by her family's publicist, Melissa Berthier. The cause of death was not provided.

“Susan will be remembered for her kindness, generosity and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others,” Berthier’s statement read. “Her effervescent spirit will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans.”

Born in Washington, she played Simcox the energetic and cheerful cheerleader who served as the embodiment of school spirit at the fictional Rydell High from “Grease,” while side of Olivia Newton-John's iconic character Sandy.

Before “Grease,” Buckner was crowned Miss Washington in 1971, and later represented the state in the Miss Americana pageant.

In the early 1970s, she appeared in episodes of “The Dean Martin Show,” “Police Woman” and “Switch.” Buckner later showcased her musical talents by appearing as a dancer and synchronized swimmer on “The Brady Bunch Variety Hour” in 1976.

Between the late 1970s and early 1980s, Buckner appeared in several TV series, including “Starsky and Hutch”, “The Love Boat” and “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries”, and co-starred in the series ABC “When the Whistle Blows” alongside Dolph Sweet.

She also appeared on the big screen in the 1981 Wes Craven-directed horror film “Deadly Blessing” alongside Sharon Stone. Her final credit, according to her IMDb page, is playing a reporter in the 1989 film “Police Academy 6: City Under Seige.”

In recent years, according to a biography provided by Buckner's publicist, she stepped away from Hollywood to focus on being a mother to her two children, Adam Josephs and Samantha Mansfield. Buckner also became a theater instructor for young children and taught dance for nearly a decade.

She is survived by her partner Al, her sister Linda, her two children and four grandchildren.

“She was magical. She was my best friend. And I will miss her every day,” Mansfield said in a statement released to CNN on Monday (6). “I was lucky to have such an enlightened mother and now I think of her as an angel.”