Cissy Houston, the acclaimed gospel singer and mother of the legendary Whitney Houston, passed away at 91 at her home in New Jersey on Monday. She had been in hospice care, battling Alzheimer’s disease at the time of her death.
In a 2013 interview with PEOPLE about her memoir, Remembering Whitney, Cissy reflected on the tragic loss of her daughter. Whitney Houston died in February 2012 at the age of 48, after drowning in a bathtub. The autopsy report cited heart disease and cocaine use as contributing factors.
Cissy spoke openly about her grief and the ongoing pain of losing her daughter, saying, “I think I was a great mother, but I still wonder if there was something I could have done to save her. I still want her to be here.” She expressed deep sorrow over the fact that Whitney passed away alone.
She also reflected on the unpredictability of life and how much she wished she could have helped Whitney overcome her struggles. Her memoir addressed Whitney’s battle with drug addiction, a fight that ultimately led to her untimely death. “I did everything I could,” Cissy wrote, “but sometimes, kids don’t listen, and they end up in situations beyond their control.”
Whitney Houston, much like her mother, was renowned for her extraordinary vocal talent and her groundbreaking career. With hits like “Saving All My Love for You,” she sold over 200 million records worldwide and inspired generations of young female and minority artists with her powerful voice and enduring legacy.