Nat King Cole

Credit: Courtesy Natalie Cole

Natalie Cole's Mother, Maria Cole, Dies of Cancer

Originally posted 07/02/2012 06:55AM

Maria Cole, the widow of singing legend Nat "King" Cole, the mother of Natalie Cole and in her own right a former Big Band singer, died Tuesday in Boca Raton, Fla., after a brief battle with cancer, her family announced. She was 89.

"Our mom was in a class all by herself. She epitomized class, elegance, and truly defined what it is to be a real lady," said Natalie Cole and her siblings, Timolin and Casey Cole, in a statement.

"We are so blessed and privileged to have inherited the legacy that she leaves behind along with our father. She died how she lived – with great strength, courage and dignity, surrounded by her loving family," the Coles' statement also said.