Joan Rivers dead at 81.

Courtesy of People magazine:  

Joan Rivers, a raucous and often-ubiquitous comedic presence on TV and nightclubs since the 1960s, has died. She was 81. 

"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers," daughter Melissa said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. 

"She passed peacefully at 1:17 p.m. surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother. Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the world. They have been heard and appreciated. 

"My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon." 

Like anybody who grew up in the sixties and seventies I watched Joan Rivers numerous times on the Tonight Show and other late night  comedy shows, and I always thought she was hilarious.

I will admit that I was only vaguely aware of her career as a fashion critic during award shows, but then when she did that "Wife Swap" with Bristol she returned to my radar.

So of course my favorite Joan Rivers quote will always be this one directed at Bristol:

"In my generation she would have been known as the little whore down the block."

Though I am also partial to this one concerning Bristol's weight gain during DWTS:  

“She should not have been there. Instead of cha-cha-cha, she must have been doing cha-cha-chew. How did she dance for eight hours a day and manage to gain weight?” 

Yep, she's going to be missed.