Lynn Shelton, the phenomenal writer and director of such movies as Humpday, Your Sister’s Sister and Laggies, died today of a blood disorder. She was 54.

We lost our dear friend Lynn Shelton. We made so many things together. I wish we had made more. Her boundless creative energy and infectious spirit were unrivaled. She made me better. We butted heads, made up, laughed, pushed each other. Like family. What a deep loss. pic.twitter.com/LcowmbGqum

— Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) May 16, 2020

Shelton was a pioneer of the mumblecore movement earlier in her career and a fixture on the film festival circuit. I have never seen a Shelton movie I did not adore. In recent years, Shelton has spent more time directing television, including episodes of Mad Men, New Girl, GLOW, and most recently, Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere.

Shelton’s loss is unexpected and hard.

All hail Lynn Shelton. Her work as a filmmaker had a warmth, generosity & empathy that is all to rare. And that was her as a person too. A huge loss. pic.twitter.com/I1G2B8YUE9

— Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) May 16, 2020

What's amazing about Lynn Shelton is she had no formal training and didn't make her first film until her mid-30's. Yet in less than two decades she directed eight films and episodes of Mad Men, New Girl, Mindy Project and Master of None. You want to do something, go do it.

— Steven Zeitchik (@zeitchikWaPo) May 16, 2020

This grouping of photos pretty well sums up what I loved about #LynnShelton. Silly. Warm. Open. Greeted me with the hug the very first time I met her. I am stunned and heartbroken. What an incredible woman. Please go and watch her movies. pic.twitter.com/48eJ4Xy54b

— Jessie Maltin (@jessiemaltin) May 16, 2020

Shelton leaves behind a son with her ex-husband Kevin Seal (yes, the old-school MTV VJ). More recently, Shelton has been in a relationship with Marc Maron, and as even the most casual listener of his podcast could tell you, Maron has never been more happy than he has been during the last year.

Maron has released a statement.

“I have some awful news. Lynn passed away last night. She collapsed yesterday morning after having been ill for a week,” Marc Maron said in a statement. “There was a previously unknown, underlying condition. It was not COVID-19. The doctors could not save her. They tried. Hard.

“I loved her very much as I know many of you did as well. It’s devastating. I am leveled, heartbroken and in complete shock and don’t really know how to move forward in this moment. I needed you all to know. I don’t know some of you. Some I do. I’m just trying to let the people who were important to her know.

“She was a beautiful, kind, loving, charismatic artist. Her spirit was pure joy. She made me happy. I made her happy. We were happy. I made her laugh all the time. We laughed a lot. We were starting a life together. I really can’t believe what is happening. This is a horrendous, sad loss.”

It’s a heartbreaking, devastating loss for the film and television world, as well as humanity. Rest in peace, Lynn Shelton. May your memory be a blessing.

Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba. You may email him here, follow him on Twitter, or listen to his weekly TV podcast, Podjiba.