Queen Latifah’s mum dies of heart failure

Queen Latifah, a.k.a. Dana Owens, is mourning the death of her mother, Rita Owens, remembering her as “certainly the love of my life.”

Rita Owens, a teacher, died on Wednesday after struggling for years with a heart condition, Latifah said via a statement to various outlets, including People.

“She had struggled with a heart condition for many years and her battle is now over,” Latifah said. “I am heartbroken but know she is at peace.”

She remembered her mother as “a bright light” on this Earth. The elder Owens “was gentle, but strong, sweet, but sassy, worldy but pragmatic, a woman of great faith and certainly the love of my life.”

In a 2014 segment on The Queen Latifah Show, the entertainer explained that her mum continued to teach long after she could have retired with ease thanks to her daughter’s success.

“It wasn’t about the money, it was about her helping her students and making a difference in their lives,” Latifah said. In the segment, former students and colleagues poured out deep sentiments and memories of how the elder Owens had influenced them.