Cissy Houston, Mother of Whitney Houston and Grammy-Winning Singer, Dies at 91

[Matt Dillon]

Cissy Houston, mother of the late Whitney Houston and an iconic gospel singer herself, has died. She was 91.

Houston died at her home in New Jersey on Monday, Oct. 7 while under hospice care for Alzheimer's disease, her daughter-in-law Pat Houston confirmed.

“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family,” Pat said in a statement. “Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts."

Pat continued, "Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled . We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us and we are thankful for all the many valuable life lessons that she taught us. May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and other cherished family members."

Houston was also an aunt of singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick.

Cissy Houston Dead at 91 (people.com)​

[Matt Dillon]

I didn't realize Whitney's mother was a singer herself, and quite an accomplished one at that. No wonder Whitney was such a wonderful singer.

[capcat]

I didn’t either, but with her, Whitney, and Dionne, I think it’s a group of the best. Sounds like she was a remarkable person.

[surveyor]

Cissy covered numerous genres.

She was a member of The Sweet Inspirations and was instrumental throughout Presley's early run at the International Hotel in Vegas in the late 60s to early 70s