Very sad news to pass long to folk music fans and fans of Martha and Rufus Wainwright … we are learning today that their mother and Canadian folk legend Kate McGarrigle has passed away. I understand that McGarrigle succumbed to a rare form of cancer and lost her battle just last night. Kate McGarrigle was only 63 years old :(

Canadian folk and roots music singer Kate McGarrigle, best known for her work with her sister, Anna, as the McGarrigle Sisters, has died at age 63. McGarrigle, born in Montreal, died Monday night after battling a rare form of cancer, confirmed her brother-in-law, journalist Dane Lanken. The mother of musicians Rufus and Martha Wainwright through her previous marriage with American singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III, McGarrigle is a music industry icon in her own right. The McGarrigle sisters recorded 10 albums in French and English, and their songs have been covered by artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Billy Bragg and Emmylou Harris. In 1993, McGarrigle was made a member of the Order of Canada. Reports that McGarrigle was critically ill surfaced over the weekend after her son, Rufus, cancelled his tour of Australia and New Zealand, scheduled to begin in February, to be with her.

This is just absolutely heartbreaking news. 63 is far too young to die and I know that Kate McGarrigle was a woman full of life, full of zest. It never occurred to me when I heard of Rufus‘s tour cancellation that it had anything to do with his mother … this is so tragic. I admit, I am no folk music fan … but when I became a fan of Rufus Wainwright and I learned of his famous parents, I sought out their music to see from whence his talent came. I was very impressed by The McGarrigle Sisters (Kate and Anna) and considered myself a fan of theirs. This is just … so sad. After the jump, check out a video of Kate performing with her children Martha and Rufus at Radio City Music Hall on Valentine’s Day 2008 …