Trisha Yearwood’s mother died Saturday morning (Oct. 1) in Tifton, Ga., after a long battle with cancer, the AP reports. Trisha and her sister, Beth, were by their mother’s side when she passed away.

Gwen Yearwood, 73, was a teacher who lived in Monticello, Ga., for most of her life. Recently, she had co-written and published two cookbooks with Trisha, Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen: Recipes From My Family to Yours, released in 2008, and Home Cooking With Trisha Yearwood: Stories and Recipes to Share With Family and Friends, out in 2010.

“The family is deeply appreciative of the care and concern they’ve received throughout this journey,” the family said in a statement.

Trisha recently told GAC, “I think my mom is the bomb. I’m very lucky. I’m one of those kids who has a mom who everybody loves. So when my mom comes to Oklahoma and visits and she’s gone, everybody’s like, ‘When’s your mom coming back?’”

The family has asked that donations be made in Gwen Yearwood’s name to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which battles breast cancer.