Minneapolis Star Tribune

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency

Mary Tyler Moore was everybody’s favorite cool, young wife and mom when she bounced into national consciousness on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in the early 1960s. With her capri pants, showgirl legs and an easy knack for comedy and crying on cue, Moore became a star.

But it was the second phase of her career that earned her an enduring place in the hearts of millions, particularly young women in the 1970s who were eager for a life that went beyond marriage and motherhood. Moore, who died Wednesday, was the relatable figure who helped develop that template. We felt her pain when, shaking and nervous, she stood up to a boss who informed her that “I hate spunk,” and went on to gain his respect.

“The Mary Tyler Moore Show” helped show women they could be strong, sassy, funny — and single. She threw dinner parties on her own — bad ones, but she did it. Those things seem so ordinary now, but they felt rule-breaking at the time. To show how far we’ve come, her character, Mary Richards, originally was supposed to be divorced, but to anxious — and mostly male — TV executives, that went too far.

As a producer of the show, Moore had a strong hand in shaping her character, and her influence in television would stretch far beyond that show. She would become successful off screen as well, and her production company would spawn a string of acclaimed TV series.

Minnesotans lay a special claim to Moore, since it was here that “MTM” was located, with the iconic Kenwood house, opening shots of Minneapolis and the famous hat toss in front of what once was Dayton’s Department Store. Throughout a life that included battles with diabetes, alcoholism and the death of her only child, Moore retained the sweetness, humor and purpose that made women think they would “make it after all.” Thanks for the memories, “Mar.”