Kathie Lee Gifford, Daughter Cassidy Pay Tribute To TV Host’s Late Mother

“Today” show host Kathie Lee Gifford has announced on social media that her 87-year-old mother, Joan Epstein, has died. The television personality’s daughter, Cassidy, joined her in paying tribute to the late matriarch.

On Tuesday, Gifford took to Twitter to inform her fans about her mother’s demise. “My precious mother, JOANNIE went home to JESUS & my DADDY this morning. We praise God for His promise of eternal life & we thank God for her,” the 64-year-old comedienne tweeted, referencing her late father Aaron, who passed away way back in 2002.

Many of Gifford’s friends and fans quickly wrote the former positive messages to comfort her in this time of grief. “Heart breaking for you, KL, but your dear mom is in her glory now, in heaven’s warm embrace & surely smiling down at you,” Gifford’s friend Suzy Welch wrote. “So sorry for your loss. Time helps, no words can comfort you. Find peace in knowing you were there for her,” a fan responded to Gifford’s tweet.

Gifford’s 24-year-old daughter Cassidy, who is also an actress and has starred in “The Gallows” and “God’s Not Dead” among others, also paid tribute to her grandmother. She posted a photo of her much younger self getting a hug from Epstein on her Instagram account. She also accompanied her post with a heartwarming caption, which read: “Jesus & Pop Pop are much cooler, anyhow and I know they’re both smiling now that they have you back… so until we meet again, love you to heaven, Cuddles.”

Though Epstein did not, in any way, become involved in the showbiz industry, she made numerous TV appearances with Gifford, especially during the latter’s 15-year run on “Live with Regis & Kathie Lee,” as per People.

Today’s Eun Kyung Kim also paid tribute to Epstein through an article she wrote for the show’s website. In it, she recounted how Gifford’s mother would always stop by their studio to visit her daughter, cook the latter’s favorite recipes and even chat about her parenting secrets.

During an interview in May 2016, Gifford gushed about her mother’s optimism. “[She’s] the sunniest person I know, expect for maybe Hoday [Kotb]. Because who’s happier than Hoda? It can be 10 days of rain, and she’ll say, ‘You know, I like a rainy day. It slows you down,’” she said at the time.

Back then, Gifford also revealed how her parents were very supportive of her decision to pursue a career in Hollywood. “I left home when I was 17 years old to pursue my career, and [my mom and dad] were all for it. They figured that they had raised me, and they wanted me to follow my passion. I’ve tried to do that with my own children. She gave me wings,” Gifford was quoted as saying by Page Six.