When it comes to family traditions, the Somers clan is getting ready for a Thanksgiving like no other. Just over a month since Suzanne Somers passed away, her loved ones are determined to honor her legacy in their own way. This isn’t just about keeping the holidays alive—it’s about keeping her memory alive, too.

“This year will be our very first Thanksgiving without Suzanne, and honestly, none of us can really wrap our heads around it,” says Caroline Somers, the late Step by Step star’s daughter-in-law, in a heartfelt interview with People on November 21. “Suzanne was Thanksgiving to us. She was the heart and soul of it all.”

Before her passing, Suzanne often hosted her family for an entire week in Palm Springs, creating a space where everyone could connect amidst nature, good food, and cherished memories. Known for her larger-than-life personality, Suzanne was married to Alan Hamel for 46 incredible years. Together with her son Bruce Somers Jr., they built a family full of love and laughter. Suzanne, who battled breast cancer for decades, passed away on October 15 at the age of 76—just one day before her 77th birthday.

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Thanksgiving Traditions Continue

This year, the family is planning to stick together, rallying around Alan while leaning on each other for support. They’ll share stories, laugh, and recreate the delicious recipes that Suzanne so lovingly passed down over the years. “It’s all about keeping her spirit alive,” says Caroline. “We’ll recreate the tastes that she gave us, because food was such a huge part of who she was.”

For Suzanne, Thanksgiving wasn’t just about eating—it was about creating an experience. She always started the day by preparing the turkey and gravy, setting the table with heirloom linens, exquisite china collections, stunning Baccarat green crystal glasses, fresh peonies or roses, and plenty of candles to light up the room. It wasn’t just a meal; it was a celebration of life and family.

Caroline Recalls Last Year’s Holiday

Caroline fondly remembers last year’s Thanksgiving, where Suzanne was especially proud of her drippings and how the gravy brought the entire meal together. “She had this way of making everything perfect,” Caroline recalls. “Cooking was always a way for our family to bond, and now, more than ever, it’s a way for us to keep her close.”

Suzanne Somers smiles in a black leather dress — Steve Granitz/WireImage

A Tribute Through Cooking

Caroline recently paid tribute to Suzanne in her latest cookbook, Served: From My Family Table to Yours. In the opening acknowledgment, she wrote a deeply personal message to her mother-in-law. “Your contribution to my life is too vast to capture in just a paragraph in this book,” Caroline wrote. “You picked up the pieces of my shattered maternal history and put them back together. You nurtured me, you taught me, you believed in me, and you gave our family a beautiful life. I cherish the memories of cooking with you. It’s one of the greatest joys of my life.”

Suzanne felt the same way about Caroline, often praising her daughter-in-law’s culinary skills. “Caroline is without a doubt one of the best cooks I know,” Suzanne once said. “I like to think I taught her a thing or two in the early days, but now she’s surpassed me in the kitchen! I’ve been lucky enough to eat every recipe in this book, and I can tell you, the flavors will leave you speechless!”