Queen Latifah Reveals Her Mother Passed Away From Heart Failure

Queen Latifah announced on Wednesday that she had lost her mother, Rita Owens.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news my mother, Rita Owens passed away today,” Latifah told PEOPLE. “Anyone that has ever met her knows what a bright light she was on this earth. She was gentle, but strong, sweet, but sassy, worldly but pragmatic, a woman of great faith and certainly the love of my life.
“She had struggled with a heart condition for many years and her battle is now over,” Latifah shares. “I am heartbroken but know she is at peace. Thank you for your kindness, support and respect for our privacy at this time. Much Love, Dana Owens (aka Queen Latif‎ah), forever Rita Owens’ daughter.”
The actress and entrepreneur's mother was first diagnosed with heart failure 13 years ago, after passing out while teaching an art class at a New Jersey high school.
“We’ve learned a new us,” Latifah told PEOPLE during a 2015 interview. “We’ve gotten a lot closer and we’ve learned each other on a whole different, deeper level.”
After the fainting episode in the classroom, doctors discovered the elder Owens had sleep apnea and heart failure. Medication, a defibrillator implanted in her chest and proper diet allowed Owens to live with the condition for as long as she could.

Source: people.com