Possibly the only fourth grade teacher in history to have the same student for 24 years, The Simpsons‘ Edna Krabappel, who recently married widower Ned Flanders, will be retired from the show after the death of Marcia Wallace, the actress who voiced her.

“I was tremendously saddened to learn…of the passing of the brilliant and gracious Marcia Wallace,” producer Al Jean said. “She was beloved by all at The Simpsons and we intend to retire her irreplaceable character.” In the episode aired on American television last night, a teary Bart was shown writing the words “We’ll Really Miss You Mrs. K” on the chalkboard during the opening. The episode finished with the image above, a touching tribute to the most cynical and bitter character on the program.”

Wallace’s work as the chain-smoking, sarcastic Mrs. Krabappel won her an Emmy for Outstanding Voice Actress in 1992, for the episode, ‘Bart the Lover’, which featured Bart pretending to be a suitor through a personals ad, before realising that Mrs. K is in fact as human and frail as the rest of us.

Matt Derody

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