'Desperate Housewives' actress Kathryn Joosten, who portrays irritable Karen McCluskey in the US TV show, died on June 02, 2012 in Westlake Village, California

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'Desperate Housewives' star Kathryn Joosten dies

'Desperate Housewives' actress Kathryn Joosten, who portrays irritable Karen McCluskey in the US TV show, died on June 02, 2012 in Westlake Village, California. She was 72.(Pic: Getty Images)

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The star had battled lung cancer, although her official cause of death has not been determined. (Pic: Getty Images)

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She was treated and given the all clear the following year and spent time promoting cancer awareness.(Pic: Getty Images)

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Show's co-star Dana Delany has paid tribute to Joosten on Twitter. "Very sad to hear of @KathyJoosten's death. She was a salt-of-the earth nurse who became a brilliant actor. Her comic timing was nonpareil." Stuff.co.nz quoted her as writing.(Pic: Getty Images)

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