Passings: Kate McGarrigle

Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle has died, aged 63, after losing her battle with cancer. It was reported last week that McGarrigle was "critically ill" after her son, the singer Rufus Wainwright, cancelled his Australian tour to be with her. CBC News now reports that McGarrigle's brother-in-law, Dane Lanken, has confirmed the singer's death, while Canadian radio station CJAD has stated that she passed away yesterday (Monday 18 January) at her Montreal home, where she was surrounded by family and friends. McGarrigle's doctor, Robert Taba, said she played a three-and-a-half-hour show at the Royal Albert Hall last month despite being "gravely ill". He said: "I was amazed by her courage and her stamina in order to do this."

McGarrigle performed widely with her sister, Anna McGarrigle, for more than three decades, recording 10 albums. She was also well-known for being the matriarch of a musical family, the Wainrights. McGarrigle was the mother of singers Rufus and Martha Wainwright, and the ex-wife of Loudon Wainwrightlll. (Reposted from Winstonthriller)