Jean Rather, an artist and wife of former television host Dan Rather, has died. She was 89.

Rather’s death was announced by Dan’s friends on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, November 26th. The cause of death was cancer.

“Today is the saddest day for Dan and the extended Rather family,” they wrote, adding that Rather died that morning at her home in Austin, Texas.

“She had been in hospice care for some time, but the news still comes as a shock to those of us who knew and loved her,” the post continued, urging everyone to keep the Rather family in their thoughts.

Jean “lived a full life as an incredible wife, mother, friend and artist – and a true Texan,” the statement said.

According to the statement, Rather was surrounded by her family and her artwork.

After graduating from Smithville public schools, Rather began her career and met Dan while working at a radio station in Houston. During their nearly 67-year marriage, the couple lived in different parts of the world, including Dallas, Washington, D.C., London and New York City.

The Rathers moved back to Texas in 2021.

“Jean was a steadfast advisor through every storm and a true Texan of courage. She was also the kind of woman who could face presidents, kings and queens, draft dodgers, criminals and corporate lawsuits every day with the same ease and a dazzling smile,” the statement continued.

Dan made Rather feel like she was living out her dreams as a real-life Cinderella, the statement said.

“Jean was a great mother and grandmother, attending every game, cheering for every win, putting Band-Aids on every scraped knee, and serving as a confidant and friend to all of her family members,” the tribute continued.

Although Rather presented herself “modestly,” she was still “a very accomplished artist” whose paintings were exhibited at colleges and galleries throughout the United States, the tribute said.

Rather is survived by her husband Dan, her son Danjack and her daughter Robin, as well as her partner and children and other family members.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin.

When I spoke to PEOPLE about the documentary last June RatherDan, 93, shared that his wife has been “absolutely committed” to him throughout his decades-long career as a journalist, which has taken him around the world.

“The first year I was at CBS News, I was home 41 days a year. Forty-one days a year. Back then it was very difficult to keep a marriage and a family together,” he remembers.

Dan said Rather’s “fighting heart” was the glue in their relationship.

“‘Whatever it takes, we’ll make it work.’ And maybe the saving grace was… when I got home, I tried to turn on the off switch. I tried to count every hour with my children, Robin, my oldest, and Dan, my youngest. They grew up with it. And again my thanks go to Jean, to whom I have been married for 66 years.