• Valerie Mahaffey passed away at 71 from cancer.
• She was known for her roles in "Desperate Housewives" and "Northern Exposure."
• Her husband and daughter survive her, expressing deep loss.
• Mahaffey garnered an Emmy for her role in "Northern Exposure."
• Her career spanned over five decades in television, film, and theater.

Valerie Mahaffey has died at the age of 71 in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer, her family confirmed. The Emmy-winning actress was best known for her roles in television series such as "Desperate Housewives" and "Northern Exposure." Her husband, actor Joseph Kell, expressed profound grief, stating, “I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses” according to BBC, NY Times, and CBS News.

Mahaffey began her career in the NBC daytime soap opera "The Doctors" and won acclaim for her performance as Eve, a hypochondriac, on "Northern Exposure." She received her Emmy in 1992 for this role. Mahaffey's portrayal of Alma Hodge in "Desperate Housewives" saw her in a villainous light as she faked her own death to spite her husband according to BBC and NY Times.

Over her five-decade career, Mahaffey starred in various productions, including films like "French Exit" and "Sully." She was lauded for her ability to portray eccentric characters, which earned her both Daytime and Primetime Emmy nominations. She was raised in Indonesia and later lived in places like Nigeria and Texas, an upbringing that she credited with bringing her family closer according to CBS News.