It’s been a few weeks since we mourned the loss of America’s big brother, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who portrayed “Theo” Huxtable on NBC’s “The Cosby Show.” Now, we’re remembering the contributions of actress Danielle Spencer, who played the wise-cracking kid sister on the “What’s Happening!!” sitcom. For those of us of a certain age, another pillar from our childhood memories has been taken away. 

On the popular show, loosely based on the movie “Cooley High,” Dee was more than a smart aleck, she was often the voice of reason. With Mama often at work, her brother “Raj” needed Dee’s grounding to keep himself from getting into more trouble than he could handle. She was a child who demanded respect and wasn’t afraid to call out adults who stepped out of line. Television had a tradition of how younger sisters and brothers behave, but Dee didn’t follow the old rules and that kept us watching. 

After the show, Spencer continued to act and also proved she could do much more. She went to the University of California at Davis and later became a veterinarian. If you know anything about the trajectory of child stars in Hollywood, you know that getting a second act in life isn’t guaranteed. Spencer did and made the most of it. 

For those of us who grew up with her, she will always be part of the foundation of who we were and who we aspire to be.