Sad news, my loves, from the world of Twin Peaks and also the universe: Catherine Coulson, who played the estimable Log Lady, has passed away at age 71. One of David Lynch’s closest friends, Coulson was set to return to the Showtime version of Twin Peaks, which is set to air in 2016 or 2017. She died of cancer. Let’s take a moment to celebrate the best of the Log Lady.

Twin Peaks: Log Lady Passes Away

Catherine Coulson and David Lynch had a long history together. She worked with him in some of his earliest films, going all the way back to 1974. She was also married to Jack Nance, who played Pete Martell in the original Twin Peaks, and also starred in Eraserhead. Coulson continued to have a strong theatrical career—a gasp-inducing 22 seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, among many other things. Coulson also worked behind the camera on projects as varied as Eraserhead and Wrath of Khan. That’s a pretty great career, isn’t it?

Of course, Coulson was most famous for playing the Log Lady in Twin Peaks. The Log Lady was an eerie character, with an eerie background. She carried around a log, which she thought spoke to her—and indeed it seemed to. Some characters, like Garland Briggs, seem to take her at her word. But then, they know about the spirits in the town of Twin Peaks. It’s not ridiculous that a spirit of some sort could end up in a log, especially considering the traumatic circumstances of the Log Lady’s husband’s death.

Coulson was expected to return in the Twin Peaks revival, although she was cagy about what her role would be. Granted, we know nothing about the storyline of the third season, so that’s not too surprising. Alas, like a number of others, the Log Lady will be another familiar, friendly face who will not be returning to Twin Peaks. For such is the way of the world as it changes.

David Lynch sent out a statement following Coulson’s death. Via Variety: “Today I lost one of my dearest friends, Catherine Coulson. 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.”

Indeed she was. Rest in peace.