When Bea Benaderet became ill with cancer and was forced to leave the series, her absence was explained by having Kate go away to visit her sister. Rosemary DeCamp was brought in as a temporary replacement, to play the Bradley girls' Aunt Helen, Kate Bradley. Benaderet only managed to return twice on the show after her departure. Following her death in October, 1968, June Lockhart was brought in as a surrogate mother figure and lady M.D. who sets up practice at the Shady Rest Hotel. Benaderet's anchoring presence was missed by the public, however, and the show lasted only two more seasons (1968-1970).