Marlo Thomas is continuing to grieve the loss of her beloved husband Phil Donahue three months after his death.
On Monday, Nov. 25, Thomas, 87, who serves as the national outreach director at St. Jude—the children’s research hospital her father, Danny Thomas, founded in 1962—did not appear on the Today show to kick off the hospital’s annual Thanks & Giving series. It was the first time she had not appeared on the show since she started the campaign with her siblings 21 years ago.
Her brother, Tony Thomas, appeared in her place, after Savannah Guthrie said, “For the first time in the 21 years of our series, Marlo is not with us this morning. She’s taking some time off after the loss of her beloved husband, Phil Donahue.”
Donahue died in August at age 88 after a long illness, per a statement from his family obtained by PEOPLE at the time, with Marlo and his sister, children, grandchildren and dog Charlie by his side.
Hoda Kotb asked Tony how his sister is doing following Donahue’s death this summer, and he said Marlo is “doing as best to be expected.”
“She loved her guy, that was a 44-year marriage that was a true love affair,” Tony said of the longtime couple, who got married in 1980 after meeting on The Phil Donahue Show in 1977, where sparks flew instantly.
“Everybody that called me said, ‘I can’t believe their marriage was such a love affair and the chemistry.’ It was… they were very, very close and I believe it’s going [to be] awhile before she can handle this.”
Tony confirmed that his sister will “be back next year” for the annual campaign that raises money for the no-cost children’s hospital by partnering with brands nationwide.
The Today show also does an annual spotlight series sharing the stories of St. Jude patients and families who have benefitted from its services.
Guthrie, 52, asked Tony to “give [Marlo] our love, absolutely. We know that she will be very proud that you’re here talking about the work of St. Jude, which means so much to her and to you,” and later, she said, “If Marlo’s watching, we love you.”
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During the segment, Tony also reflected on the impact his father’s mission has had since he opened St. Jude more than 60 years ago.
“I think he would be amazed but shocked. It was a long time ago where they opened those doors. There was a period where they were writing checks to pay the payroll for the doctors and scientists.”
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