Jennifer Grey's mother dies at 94, a week after cancer diagnosis

Actress Jennifer Grey is mourning the loss of her mother, Jo Wilder, who passed away at the age of 94. The announcement came just one week after Wilder received a grave diagnosis of lung cancer.

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True to how she lived her whole life, she chose grace over fear, understanding that leaving this world with dignity is an honor, not a tragedy.

Grey, known for her iconic role in "Dirty Dancing," shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, stating that her mother chose to leave "on her own terms" and "with dignity." "True to how she lived her whole life, she chose grace over fear, understanding that leaving this world with dignity is an honor, not a tragedy," Grey wrote.

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If she had chosen ambition over me and my brother, we would never have had the mother we had. Her passion found other forms of expression: she was an activist her whole life, with a strong sense of justice.

The actress described Jo Wilder as a "beautiful and talented" woman who prioritized her family, sacrificing her own career ambitions. "If she had chosen ambition over me and my brother, we would never have had the mother we had," Grey reflected. She also noted her mother's lifelong activism and strong sense of justice, as well as her years managing an interior design shop in Los Angeles.

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I love you, Mom. Thank you for showing me how to do everything, even this, with grace.

Numerous celebrities extended their sympathies to Grey. Journalist Katie Couric called Wilder an "extraordinary role model," while actress Julianne Moore simply expressed, "So sorry for your loss." Tracy Pollan, an actress and wife of Michael J. Fox, also shared a touching message, remembering Wilder's "warmth, love, and wisdom."

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I feel blessed to have had your beautiful mother in my life. I will always cherish the memory of her warmth, love, and wisdom. I am deeply saddened that she is gone, but grateful that she left us with the same dignity with which she lived.