NEW YORK — The model and actor who inspired the Tinker Bell character in the 1953 animated Disney classic “Peter Pan” has died.

Margaret Kerry’s family said the 97-year-old performer died Thursday in North Carolina from lung cancer.

“Margaret was deeply grateful for the extraordinary life that she enjoyed and felt tremendously blessed by her loved ones and the countless friends and fans that she met along the way,” her family wrote on Facebook. “Margaret wanted everyone to know that she was at peace and ready for this next journey in her life, secure in the knowledge that God was eager to bring her home, with Him, into heaven.”

Kerry was born Margaret McCarty in Illinois. Her mother died during childbirth, according to Deadline. She was raised by her adoptive parents in Los Angeles.

Kerry appeared in numerous TV programs including “The Lone Ranger,” “The Andy Griffith Show” and “The Ruggles,” in which she starred as Sharon Ruggles.

Perhaps her most famous role came in the form of live-action work for “Peter Pan” animators who crafted the teeny Tinker Bell character in her likeness. She also voiced a mermaid in that movie, according to IMDb.

Kerry is survived by children Ellen, Christina and Eric. Kerry was preceded in death by her husband, oil executive Robert Boeke, who died on May 24.

According to her family, Kerry and Boeke were first “sweethearts” more than 70 years ago, when they were married to their careers.

“Yet in 2019, the two reconnected to rekindle their love and enjoyed six wonderful years of marriage. It is like a fairy-tale to know that they passed so very close in time to one another — perhaps a testament to the love they shared,” their loved ones recalled.

Kerry’s remembrance concludes with a line paraphrased from “Peter Pan.”

“And remember, on any given night, look up into the night sky and search for that “Second Star to the Right,” it reads. “Upon closer look, you might just notice that star shining a little brighter in Margaret’s honor.”

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