Didn’t at least some part of you think Betty White would go on forever? There are stars whose deaths are a surprise because, let’s face it, we forgot they were still alive. White’s death on Dec. 31 is a shock because she was so incredibly alive, from her start as a TV ingénue to her reign as America’s favorite senior citizen. Surely we can be forgiven for thinking she was always with us, and always would be. White died Friday, her agent and friend Jeff Witjas confirmed to USA TODAY.

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