SURREY — Actress Penelope Keith died at the age of 86 at her home in Surrey following a cancer diagnosis. Her family announced her death on a Monday.

Keith was known for her roles in the British sitcoms "The Good Life" and "To the Manor Born." London's West End theatres will dim their lights on Wednesday evening to honor her career. Actor Felicity Kendal stated, "She was a joy to know and work with, and she will be much missed."

Keith joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963. She played the character Margo Leadbetter in "The Good Life," for which she won a BAFTA award in 1977. "The Good Life" was voted one of the U.K.'s best all-time sitcoms in a 2004 BBC poll. In 1978, she won a BAFTA TV award for her work on the show.

Between 1979 and 1981, Keith starred in "To the Manor Born" as Audrey fforbes-Hamilton. The show's first season finale had 24 million viewers. She received a BAFTA TV award for this role in 1980. The series later returned for a Christmas special in 2007.

Keith's career extended to other television appearances, including "Executive Stress," "No Job for a Lady," and "Next of Kin." She also provided voice work for the children's show "Teletubbies" and appeared in advertisements for Pimm's and Parker Pens. In 2004, she played Madame Arcati in a West End production of "Blithe Spirit," and in 2007, she portrayed Lady Bracknell in "The Importance of Being Earnest." Keith also presented the documentary TV series "Penelope Keith's Hidden Villages."

In 2014, Keith was made a dame for her contributions to the arts and to charity. She is survived by her husband, Rodney Timson, and their two adopted sons. Keith had resided in Surrey for more than 50 years.