10 things Florence Henderson told us through the years

IndyStar reporters reliably jumped at the chance to speak with Florence Henderson, the "Brady Bunch" actress who died Thursday at 82.

Henderson was born in Dale,, and grew up in Rockport, an Ohio River town about 30 miles east of Evansville.

Ingrained in pop culture for her portrayal of Carol Brady on "The Brady Bunch" from 1969 to 1974, Henderson also starred in a 1954 Broadway production of "Fanny," and she acted in national tours of "Oklahoma!" and "The Sound of Music."

In the home stretch of her public life, she became synonymous with Indianapolis 500 tradition.

Here are 10 quotes Henderson shared with IndyStar through the years:

1. Melody maker. From 1991 to 2015, Henderson sang "America the Beautiful," "God Bless America" or "The Star-Spangled Banner" 23 times at the Indianapolis 500. During a 2011 interview with IndyStar, the former Broadway performer said she was born to carry a tune. “My mother said I came out singing. By the time I was 2, she had already taught me 50 songs.”

2. Meager upbringing. Henderson grew up as the youngest of 10 siblings, and her parents were tobacco sharecroppers. In 1995, Henderson talked about a new cookbook she had written, "A Little Cooking, A Little Talking and a Whole Lot of Fun," and the challenges of being poor. "I learned how to work wonders with pinto beans or with a potato. When we were lucky at home, we had fried chicken."

3. Hollywood dreams. In a 1994 interview, Henderson said her childhood chores included picking worms off the leaves of tobacco in the field. "Sometimes on Saturdays, I got to go to the movies. That made me realize there was another world out there. I always had hope."

4. Indy exposure. In 2006, Henderson talked about her days as a member of youth organization 4-H. "My biggest thrill was winning a blue ribbon on my devil's food cake. I got to go to the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis — an experience I shall never forget."

'Mrs. Brady' and Hoosier icon Florence Henderson dies

5. "Today" time. Henderson's first job on network TV was working as "The Today Girl" on NBC's "Today Show" in 1959 and 1960. When Henderson became pregnant, no one was allowed to say "pregnant" on the air, and her pregnancy was hidden by potted palms and furniture. In 1999, she recalled an infamous episode in which host Dave Garroway unleashed a barrel of monkeys in the studio. "He took the top off the barrel, and all the monkeys went bananas. They were up in the (lighting) grids, they were doing naughty things all over us and the table. ... It was fun, but it was also scary. A picture taken at the time shows me on top of the desk, terrified."

6. Mystery man. During a lighthearted interview in 2011, Henderson speculated about the first husband of her "Brady Bunch" character — the guy who came and went before Carol met Mike. "They never talked much about my first husband, ever. I killed him. No, they once showed a picture quickly, and we never mentioned it again. People accepted us as a family right away. I think they wanted to keep it that way. I’m assuming my husband was ill and passed away."

Florence Henderson sang at 23 editions of the Indy 500

7. Parental guidance. In 1994, Henderson talked about her own children's struggles with the cheerful suburban family portrayed on "The Brady Bunch." "My kids used to say, `Why don't you ever shout at them?' Actually, they got some pleasure out of the show because they were about the same age (as the 'Brady' kids) and became good friends with them."

8. Quality control. Henderson is seen in 1995's "The Brady Bunch Movie," but she originally rejected a role proposed by filmmakers. She talked about the movie, which featured fellow Hoosier native Shelley Long in the role of Carol, in 1994. "They wanted me to do a cameo — some big, macho truck driver with a cigarette pack rolled up in my sleeve. I'll do almost anything for a laugh, but that wasn't funny. I felt like it would be cheapening 'The Brady Bunch' and the rapport we have built with our audience. I wouldn't want to do anything to denigrate that show. It means so much to so many people."

9. Stepping up. Henderson competed on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" in 2010 at age 76 (and outlasted foes such as David Hasselhoff and Michael Bolton). She talked about her health regimen in 2011. "I work out three times a week. I try to be aware of nutrition. I take vitamins. I try to pray a lot. I think the secret of life is balance: mentally, spiritually and physically. I try to keep those things as balanced as I can."

10. Track tradition. In 2011, Henderson framed her Indy 500 performances in the context of her poverty-stricken childhood. "I could only dream about coming to a race like this. So I never forget that when I stand up there to sing and I look out and see all those people. I realize I can represent my family and my fellow Hoosiers and really the United States. It really makes me feel wonderful. It’s a big, big thrill."

Call IndyStar reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.