Cissy Houston, a two-time Grammy-winning gospel and soul singer, has passed away at 91. She died on Monday at her home in New Jersey while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, according to her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston. Cissy was surrounded by family at the time of her death.  

“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness,” Pat Houston said in a statement. “We lost the matriarch of our family.” She added that Cissy’s contributions to music and culture were “unparalleled.” Pat Houston described her mother-in-law as a strong woman of deep faith who cared deeply about family, ministry, and her community.

Cissy Houston’s remarkable music career spanned more than seven decades. She began as a gospel singer in a family group and later broke into popular music in the 1960s. Cissy was part of The Sweet Inspirations, a well-known backing group that performed with music legends like Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, and Van Morrison.

The group also worked with artists such as Otis Redding, Dionne Warwick, and Lou Rawls. Some of their most famous contributions included backing vocals on Aretha Franklin’s hits “Think” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man.”

In addition to her work with The Sweet Inspirations, Cissy Houston had a successful solo career and recorded more than 600 songs in various genres. She won two Grammy Awards for her gospel albums Face to Face and He Leadeth Me. She also sang with many other artists, including Jimi Hendrix, Luther Vandross, and Chaka Khan.

Cissy was also deeply involved in the church. For decades, she led the Youth Inspirational Choir at Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church, where her daughter, Whitney Houston, grew up singing.

Pat Houston, on behalf of the family, expressed their gratitude for the love and support they’ve received during the difficult time, and requested privacy as they mourn Cissy’s passing.

(With inputs from AP)