According to Channel 9's Robyn R, Prince's mom, passed away last Friday.

[Thanks lmwp for the update & link below... --Ben]

http://www.startribune.co...36303.html

{{{Mattie Baker, 68, mother of singer Prince, dies
Jon Bream
Star Tribune

Published Feb 20, 2002
Mattie Baker, the mother of rock star Prince and a longtime social worker in the Minneapolis public school system, died Friday at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina. She was 68. }}}

Her husband, Hayward Baker, said Tuesday that she had been hospitalized for a couple of months, and that she had had a kidney transplant three or four years ago.

"She had gobs of friends," her husband said. "It'll be a big funeral -- five or six limousines."

Baker earned a master's degree in social work from the University of Minnesota and spent more than 20 years as a social worker at Edison, Franklin, Harrison and other Minneapolis schools. She retired about five years ago.

"She loved working with children," said her daughter, Tyka Nelson.

Wayne Jensen, who worked with Baker at the Harrison Education Center, recalls how wonderful she was when making home visits. "One time there was a parent actually drinking mouthwash," he recalled. "She confronted the parent about how they were taking care of their student. I've never seen anyone like her who could, in a tactful way, talk about caring for their child."

Born Mattie Shaw, she was a singer who joined the Prince Roger Trio in the 1950s. She married the group's keyboardist, John Nelson, quit the band and had two children, Prince and Tyka. After divorcing Nelson, she married Baker 34 years ago, and they had a son, Omarr. They lived in a suburban Minneapolis house that Prince bought for them about 15 years ago.

Members of Prince's organization remember his mom showing up for the big events, such as Twin Cities concerts, his first wedding in 1996 and the premiere of the film "Purple Rain" in Hollywood in 1984.

"I can't believe all the stars," she gushed to the Star Tribune at the premiere as she walked into Mann's Chinese Theater, where Eddie Murphy, Morgan Fairchild, Christopher Reeve and others had turned out.

The quasi-autobiographical movie depicted a tempestuous relationship between the mother and father of the lead character, played by Prince. One of the film's songs, the hit "When Doves Cry," referred to Prince's parents: "Maybe I'm just like my father -- too bold/Maybe you're just like my mother/She's never satisfied."

At John Nelson's funeral in August 2001, Baker was in a wheelchair. She had arthritis in addition to kidney problems, Hayward Baker said.

In addition to her husband and children, survivors include her twin sister, Edna, of Las Vegas, and two grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Zion Baptist Church in north Minneapolis.

If so, that's very sad news...hang in there, Prince...and many heartfelt condolences...

I feel so awful. I'm sorry, Prince. My prayers go out to you.

i'm so sorry.

my thoughts and prayers are with you, prince.

It makes sense why the dance party was cancelled last weekend...

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Prince and the NPG family.

Awww that's really sad.....much love 2 prince.

Keep the resurection in mind my brotha!!

Good God! Poor Prince. First his Dad now his mom...Hang in there old soul. I have this nagging urge to go listen to "Sometimes it Snows in April"

For all good things, they say, never last...

It is SO very hard to lose someone you love - losing a parent shakes the grip you have on the world.

I don't know why things happen the way they do, but I TRULY cannot imagine losing both of my parents within months of each other.

P, my heart goes out to you - time is the trick that helps us heal. Keep your head up, little baby - you're in my thoughts & prayers... you are loved

OHH SHIT!!!! NOW HIS MOTHER, LIFE IS BITCH. I KNOW HE WASN'T SO CLOSE 2 HIS FAMILY SO FAR I KNOW, BUT I KNOW WHAT IS TO LOSE SOMEONE U LOVE LIKE UR MOTHER, SO MY MAJOR CONDOLENCE 2 PRINCE AND HIS FAMILY, HOLD ON SEXY MF, @ LEAST MANI IS WITH HIM IN THIS HARD MOMENT.
BUT LIKE 2PAC SAID LIFE GOES ON, AND PRINCE IS VERY RELIGIOUS SO I THINK THAT WOULD HELP TO GET WELL OF THIS.
PEACE 'N B WILD!I'M REALLY SORRY...

Prince, if this is true, I would like to offer my condolences 2 U and your family. Remember...U have many fans and we are pulling and praying 4 U. LOVE "yah"

How simply sad. Losing both parents in so short a time.
Deepest sympathy....

My deepest sympathies.

Sorry to hear this news! I hope Mr. Nelson is doing well! TAKE CARE & DIEU VOUS GARDE!

My heartfelt condolences go out to Prince and his family. Losing both parents would be a life altering experience for anyone. Fortunately he has faith in God, plus the support of wife to help him through this difficult time.

here is a link it's official

very sad.....

both parents gone....


http://www.startribune.co...36303.html

Mattie Baker, 68, mother of singer Prince, dies
Jon Bream
Star Tribune

Published Feb 20, 2002
Mattie Baker, the mother of rock star Prince and a longtime social worker in the Minneapolis public school system, died Friday at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina. She was 68.

Her husband, Hayward Baker, said Tuesday that she had been hospitalized for a couple of months, and that she had had a kidney transplant three or four years ago.

"She had gobs of friends," her husband said. "It'll be a big funeral -- five or six limousines."

Baker earned a master's degree in social work from the University of Minnesota and spent more than 20 years as a social worker at Edison, Franklin, Harrison and other Minneapolis schools. She retired about five years ago.

"She loved working with children," said her daughter, Tyka Nelson.

Wayne Jensen, who worked with Baker at the Harrison Education Center, recalls how wonderful she was when making home visits. "One time there was a parent actually drinking mouthwash," he recalled. "She confronted the parent about how they were taking care of their student. I've never seen anyone like her who could, in a tactful way, talk about caring for their child."

Born Mattie Shaw, she was a singer who joined the Prince Roger Trio in the 1950s. She married the group's keyboardist, John Nelson, quit the band and had two children, Prince and Tyka. After divorcing Nelson, she married Baker 34 years ago, and they had a son, Omarr. They lived in a suburban Minneapolis house that Prince bought for them about 15 years ago.

Members of Prince's organization remember his mom showing up for the big events, such as Twin Cities concerts, his first wedding in 1996 and the premiere of the film "Purple Rain" in Hollywood in 1984.

"I can't believe all the stars," she gushed to the Star Tribune at the premiere as she walked into Mann's Chinese Theater, where Eddie Murphy, Morgan Fairchild, Christopher Reeve and others had turned out.

The quasi-autobiographical movie depicted a tempestuous relationship between the mother and father of the lead character, played by Prince. One of the film's songs, the hit "When Doves Cry," referred to Prince's parents: "Maybe I'm just like my father -- too bold/Maybe you're just like my mother/She's never satisfied."

At John Nelson's funeral in August 2001, Baker was in a wheelchair. She had arthritis in addition to kidney problems, Hayward Baker said.

In addition to her husband and children, survivors include her twin sister, Edna, of Las Vegas, and two grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Zion Baptist Church in north Minneapolis.

I am truly saddened to learn of Prince's mom's passing. You barely have time to try to heal from one parents' death and now you must deal with another. I know for a fact that both mom and dad are in a better place and that they are smiling down upon you, Prince; no matter what the circumstances were while they were here, they loved you very much and they still do. The Lord will take care of everything until we all meet up again. And we WILL all meet up again. I will say a prayer for you, baby bro, and just know that you never, ever walk alone. God Bless You.

princey.....i truly dont know what to say....but hang in there man do what you gotta do.

Sometimes everything is wrong...

REM - Everybody hurts

To Prince and all whose lives were touched by Mattie:

May God be with you during this hard time, especially Prince and Tyka, who have lost so much in so little time. I will be praying for you all. I pray that comfort will come your way soon and that the joyous memories will come to mind when you think of Mattie. She has now moved on to a place without suffering or pain; a place where she is free. Someday you will see her again....someday.

God Bless you, Mattie. You remain in our hearts until we meet again.

Be strong Prince, be strong and know that you are not ever alone. You have so many people praying for you and sending you love at this time. We love you, sweet brother.

Prince, I am deeply saddened by your loss. I can relate to your pain. Just hang in there. God will take care of everything. You just have to leave it in his hands. Our prayers are with you.

To all her children and her husband, the most heartfelt of sympathies. It is never easy to lose someone who is so loved. God go with all of u. I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say
iwishuheaven

This has been a difficult past year for Prince...My prayers go out to him & his.

Prince, your own words said it best:

If u ever lose someone dear 2 u
Never say the words, "They're gone"
They'll come back

Tears go here.

Much love to you, sweet baby.

My deepest sympathies as well.


There is no death! What seems so is transition;
This life of mortal breath
Is but a suburb of the life elysian,
Whose portal we call Death. -Henry W. Longfellow
[This message was edited Wed Feb 20 0:07:51 PST 2002 by CmputrBlu]

Sorry.

I am very sorry 4 ur loss!!

All my thoughts are with you and your family.