The mother of artist Whitney Houston, also a singer, Cissy Houston, passed away this Monday at the age of 91.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the artist died at her home in New Jersey, where she was receiving palliative care after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
"Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We have lost the matriarch of our family. Our mother Cissy has been a strong and imposing figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared deeply for family, ministry, and community. Her over seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts," said her daughter-in-law Pat Houston.
Pat expressed that "we are moved by your generous support and outpouring of love during our deep time of sorrow. We respectfully request our privacy during this difficult time."
The woman also announced the death of Whitney Houston's mother through her Instagram account, where she paid tribute to her long musical career.
"My heart is saddened to announce the passing of my beloved queen Cissy Houston today! Please keep the Houston family in your prayers," wrote with a post designed with several photographs of Cissy.
Cissy Houston was not only Whitney Houston's mother, but also a great artist
Cissy Houston endured the pain of her daughter Whitney Houston's death at 48 years old. Not only was she her mother, but also a great artist who began her career in the 1960s with the group The Sweet Inspirations, alongside Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee Warwick, as reported by the New York Post.
The Sweet Inspirations were a soul music reference. Cissy released four albums with this group, where she stayed until 1969 before pursuing a solo career. She won two Grammys: one in 1997 for her album 'Face to Face' and in 1998 with 'He Leadeth Me' for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album.
She wrote three books: ‘He Leadeth Me’, ‘How Sweet The Sound: My Life with God and Gospel’, and ‘Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss, and The Night The Music Stopped’.