"It is with great love and heavy hearts that we say farewell to our collective Mother, with a capital M, " said her son and daughter, John Putch and Pamela Putch, in a statement.
Stapleton proved her own toughness when her husband of 26 years, William Putch, suffered a fatal heart attack in 1983 at age 60 while the couple was touring with a play directed by Putch.