Losing a parent is simply one of the most difficult things any of us can go through. But blessed is the person whose parent leaves behind a lifetime of good memories for them. I know it was that way for me when my parents passed, and it looks like it’s that way for Martina McBride, too. 

McBride revealed on social media late on Friday that her mother had passed away. Jeanne Schiff had been hospitalized for a week after undergoing emergency heart surgery. Mrs. Schiff, and her husband Daryl, were key in the development of their daughter as a singer. When she was just 7, Martina’s dad included her in his country band in Kansas (which her mom was the soundboard technician for!)

The singer then posted the following remembrance of her mom, and it’s absolutely worth the read. Prayers to Martina’s whole family.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

My mom passed away this morning. She was a complex and amazing woman. Strong. Chic. No-nonsense. Hilarious. Witty. She had the prettiest hair and skin and hands…I loved her hands. She took good care of us. Our house was always the house where all the aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered, and she was really the reason for that. She made her 4 kids self sufficient, told us to go outside and play, gave us chores to do and taught us how to work. She wasn’t one to smother you with affection, do your homework for you, or attend every ballgame, but we always knew she was there for us. As we all got older we had many conversations about life, faith, morals, health, and the importance of getting your beauty sleep. She’d start every phone call or message with “Martina. This is your mother”. She loved to laugh and to tell stories to get a laugh. And even though she told me in the hospital that she wasn’t “an enthusiastic cook” she made the best fried chicken I’ve ever tasted. I spent the last week with her in ICU, with my dad, my brothers, and my sister, and a fantastic and caring team of doctors who went above and beyond to try and get her to a place where her heart would sustain her. During that week I held her hand, rubbed her shoulders, stroked her face, told her I loved her and she told me she loved me. Even though I wish it had ended differently I wouldn’t have traded that time with her for anything. So now we try and move forward without our matriarch. And somehow, in time, we will. Because she taught us how to be strong. I love you Mom. 1/10/20

A post shared by Martina McBride (@martinamcbride) on