Betty Paraskevas, the creator, writer and exec producer of many animated pre-school series, has died at the age of 81, reports VARIETY. She had pancreatic cancer.

Along with her son Michael, she created such series as Nick Jr.’s MAGGIE AND THE FEROCIOUS BEAST, Fox Family’s THE KIDS FROM ROOM 402, PBS’s MARVIN THE TAP-DANCING HORSE and ABC’s holiday special THE TANGERINE BEAR. At the time of her death, she had PETER PEPPER’S PET SPECTACULAR in production with the CBC.

Additionally, the duo had more than 20 children’s books published, as well as the comic strip GREEN MONKEYS.

In addition to Michael, she is survived by her daughter.

If you would like to make donations, please send them to St. Michael's Church 100 Alden St. Cranford, NJ 07016-2131.