The star, best remembered for playing Violet Bucket in the beloved sitcom, passed away “peacefully” on Saturday, according to a statement
Rishma Dosani and Emma O’Neill Content Editor
11:22, 01 Jul 2026
The series ran for five seasons and 44 episodes
Keeping Up Appearances actress Anna Dawson has died at the age of 88.
The star, best remembered for playing Violet Bucket — sister of Dame Patricia Routledge’s Hyacinth — in the beloved sitcom, passed away “peacefully” on Saturday, according to a statement.
Members of her church in New Zealand, Christ Church Anglican at Kororāreka Russell, announced the sad news in a touching Facebook post.
Anna is said to have “died peacefully”(Image: Facebook)
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of a much treasured member of our faith community, former actress Anna Boulter (nee Dawson),” they wrote.
“Many from the Russell community will remember Anna and her late husband John Boulter who lived in Okiato and Tapeka. Funeral details to follow.”
The announcement comes just six months after Dawson’s husband John Boulter passed away, reports the Mirror.
Anna launched her decades-spanning screen career in 1964 with an appearance in Dixon of Dock Green, before securing roles in Slapstick and Old Lace and Mother Goose.
She rose to fame in the 70s thanks to her turns on the Benny Hill Show and the Morecambe and Wise Show, before featuring on game shows such as Blankety Blank and Give Us a Clue.
It was during the mid-90s when she captured hearts on Keeping Up Appearances as Violet — the sibling that Hyacinth Bucket would constantly boast about as “the one with the Mercedes, sauna and room for a pony.”
Anna Dawson in Keeping Up Appearances(Image: BBC)
Despite being credited for just four episodes overall, she sparkled alongside Routledge, Clive Swift, Geoffery Hughes and Josephine Tewson. Violet marked Dawson’s final acting role before she stepped away from the limelight and relocated to New Zealand with her husband.
The news of her passing comes just months after her iconic co-star died last October, at the age of 96.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge, who died peacefully in her sleep this morning surrounded by love,” her agent announced at the time.
“Even at 96 years old, Dame Patricia’s passion for her work and for connecting with live audiences never waned, just as new generations of audiences have continued to find her through her beloved television roles.
“She will be dearly missed by those closest to her and by her devoted admirers around the world.”