Adella Krall (jazz singer Diana Krall's mother)
Matthew Kruk
her battle with cancer, her family said Tuesday. Adella Krall died Sunday at
the age of 60 at Vancouver General Hospital. The Nanaimo, B.C., elementary
teacher was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare form of bone marrow cancer,
in 1996 and immediately received a bone marrow transplant.
"Adella enjoyed extended remissions during which she led a full and productive
life and was able to enjoy Diana's growing international success," her family
said in a statement.
She needed another transplant last September.
Adella Krall's fight with the disease led Grammy winner Diana Krall and her
sister Michelle to organize three fundraising concerts for Vancouver General
Hospital's leukemia bone marrow transplant program. Diana Krall's celebrity
status also brought donations for an auction from fellow musicians, including
Elton John and Tony Bennett.
The duo raised close to $500,000 for the hospital's pioneering research,
priority equipment and patient care needs.
Dr. John Shepherd, a family friend who oversaw Adella Krall's treatment, said
she was "selfless, joyful and loving - one of the finest people it has ever been
my privilege to know."
A private funeral will be held this week in Nanaimo. Details about a memorial
service will be announced shortly.
Diana Krall is scheduled to begin a tour of Japan next month. It wasn't
immediately clear if the singer would honour that schedule, her management said.