Catherine E. Coulson – aka. the legendary Log Lady on David Lynch’s Twin Peaks – has passed away at the age of 71.

According to very sad reports, the actress died of cancer on Monday morning – despite being set to resume her iconic role for the show's new Showtime series.

“Today I lost one of my dearest friends, Catherine Coulson,” Lynch said in a statement. “Catherine was solid gold. She was always there for her friends – she was filled with love for all people – for her family – for her work.  She was a tireless worker. She had a great sense of humor – she loved to laugh and make people laugh. She was a spiritual person – a longtime TM meditator. She was the Log Lady.”

Coulson first worked with Lynch over 40 years ago on his 1974 short The Amputee, before going on to work as assistant director on his 1977 debut feature Eraserhead. It was there that she began to work with Lynch on the ‘Log Lady’ that would make her famous – eventually describing her Twin Peaks character as “the only normal person on the show”.

Her death was confirmed by her agent, Mary Dangerfield, who made the announcement yesterday. “We are all deeply sad, she meant so much to so many.”