(Photo: Getty Images)
Sally Ann Howes, the actress best known for playing Truly Scrumptious opposite Dick Van Dyke in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, has died at age 91.
She passed away Sunday (December 19), The Times of London reports. The sad news was confirmed on Twitter by her nephew Toby Howes, who said his aunt had "died peacefully in her sleep." 
He added poignantly that family members had hoped she "might hold on until the Christmas screening of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as this would have greatly appealed to her mischievous side." 

Howes was born in London in 1930, the daughter of actors Bobby Howes and Patricia Malone, and followed her parents into the entertainment industry. During a career of more than 70 years, she worked most prolifically on stage in both the U.S. and U.K.. In 1958, she took over Julie Andrews​​' role in the Broadway production of My Fair Lady, then earned a Tony nomination five years later for her performance as Fiona in Brigadoon.
Before Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which became an enduring family favorite after being released in 1968, she starred in a number of British films in the 1940s and 1950s including Nicholas Nickleby, Anna Karenina, and Fools Rush In. Later, she guest starred in U.S. TV series including Marcus Welby, M.D. and Mission: Impossible.
In 2007-8, she appeared in the U.S. touring production of My Fair Lady, this time playing Mrs. Higgins. She was married to Douglas Rae, her third husband, from 1972 until his death in September of this year.
Rest in Peace, Sally Ann Howes, and thank you for your contribution.