Grease actress Susan Buckner has died aged 72

Actress Susan Buckner, known for her role as cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 musical comedy Fatis dead. She was 72.

“Susan passed away peacefully on May 2 surrounded by her loved ones,” said Melissa Berthier, a publicist for the family. A cause of death was not given.

“The light she brought to every room will be forever missed,” Buckner’s daughter, Samantha Mansfield, tells PEOPLE. “She was magical and I was so lucky to call her my best friend.”

Buckner was born in Seattle in 1952 and made a name for himself in beauty pageants. She won the title of Miss Washington in 1971 before representing the state in the Miss America pageant the following year.

Buckner brought her beauty pageant experience into the entertainment industry, becoming one of The Golddiggers, an all-female singing and dancing group in which she performed The Dean Martin Show.

She also made appearances on The Mac Davis Show, Sonny and CherAnd The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.

It was her supporting role in FatBut that would make Buckner a familiar face to millions of Americans. She landed the role of Patty Simcox, the spirited cheerleader who shared the screen with Olivia Newton-John.

Their memorable cheer was a rallying cry for the fictional Rydell High School: “Do the splits, shout!” Show some spirit for Old Rydell! Well done, Red and White! Go Rydell, fight, fight, fight!”

Although she continued to work as an actress in the 1980s, Fat would remain her career-defining role.

After appearing in shows like The Love Boat And The Secrets of the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drewand films including Police Academy 6: City under siegeBuckner put show business on hold to raise her two children.

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She later directed children’s theater at an elementary school in Florida and taught dance as a dance instructor at a gym in Coral Gables.

Buckner is survived by Mansfield, son Adam Josephs, grandchildren Oliver, Riley, Abigail and Ruby, as well as her sister Linda, daughter-in-law Noel Josephs, son-in-law Adam Mansfield and her longtime partner Al.