POPULAR Canadian puppeteer Noreen Young who created and starred in a beloved Disney show has tragically died aged 85.
Young, who rose to fame after appearing in the popular 1990s Disney children’s show Under the Umbrella Tree, died after suffering a stroke.
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The star produced Under the Umbrella Tree from 1987 to 1993 and portrayed one of the show’s main characters, Gloria Gopher.
Speaking to CBC, her family confirmed that she had tragically died aged 85.
Brother Stephen Brathwaite, who described Young as a “wonderful sister”, said: “Her character was her. Gloria Gopher was Noreen Young.
“She was a sweet, creative problem-solving bulldozer.”
Young, who was born in Ottawa and worked in puppetry for over 50 years.
She was named a member of the Order of Canada in 1995.
Brathwaite said Young went on to art school, but returned to pursue a career in puppetry afterwards.
He added: “I think she thought, ‘Oh, puppets aren’t cool. I’ll do drawing and painting and sculpture,’ which she did.
“And then as soon as she’s graduated, she was back at puppets.”
Tributes are pouring in for the puppet legend whose works have been described as an “act of love”.
Jane Torrance, the boss of International Puppet Festival Puppets Up! said: “I don’t think that there’s a kid who was born in the 80s or 90s who…watched CBC as a kid who doesn’t know Noreen’s work.
“I think once she started with puppets and saw where they could take her and where they could take her artistic career, it just became something she was going to do.”
Fellow Canadian puppeteer Ronnie Burkett wrote on Instagram: “I wrote her a fan letter when I was ten years old.
“Foolish woman replied, and was stuck with me for life. I am incredibly sad as I mourn her, but so very grateful for knowing Noreen Young.”
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