Jada Star Says Dolly Parton Hid Cancer to Spare Worry Before Dying at 80
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 2
Jada Star Says Dolly Parton Hid Cancer to Spare Worry Before Dying at 80
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 2
Summary
Jada Star said Dolly Parton kept her brief cancer battle "real private" because she "never wanted to worry anybody," explaining the secrecy that preceded the singer's Aug. 25 death.
80-year-old Parton died at a Nashville medical center surrounded by loved ones, after years of medical issues and months of canceled concerts and missed appearances that had fueled concern.
Aug. 29 brought a private family burial with no public service details released, while relatives asked mourners to donate to Parton's Imagination Library instead of sending flowers.
The same day, Star joined Jelly Roll and Carly Pearce at the Grand Ole Opry's official tribute, as she said the flood of tributes has helped the family through a "bittersweet" loss.