British folk singer Norma Waterson has passed away, her daughter Eliza Carthy has confirmed.
The singer was best known as one of the original members of The Watersons – a traditional English folk singing band.
Norma was aged 82 and while no offiical cause of death has not yet been revealed, her 46-year-old daughter Eliza had recently launched a fundraiser appeal where she revealed Norma had been hospitalised with pneumonia.
Eliza broke the news of her mother's death via a Facebook post on Monday, writing: “Not much to say about such monumental sadness, but mam passed away yesterday afternoon, January 30th 2022.
“Thinking of everyone who has supported and donated and just been there for us the last few weeks, the last few years, and through all of her triumphs and trials.
“Our only hope is that she is with Lal and Mike and her mum and dad now, being held and welcomed and finally without pain.
She added: “We love you Mam. Going to bring you home as soon as we can.”
Heartbreakingly, Eliza – who herself is a singer and has performed as part of the Waterson family – had earlier shared a link to a fundraiser webpage where she explained that her parents' income had "dried up" due to being unable to perform during the pandemic.
She wrote: “Right now the Carthy family, as many others, is struggling to survive the pandemic.
“They urgently need funds to tide them over until the pandemic lifts and Martin and Eliza can return to touring and become self sufficient.
“During the pandemic Eliza recorded a new album. Once touring resumes there will be that extra income stream plus the small income derived from the limited releases of the Waterson Family Archive. Until then the family is hard-pressed, and any donations you can make will be greatly appreciated.”
Tributes to Norma have flooded in – with singer-songwriter Billy Bragg among those expressing sadness and sharing condolences online.
The 64-year-old singer tweeted: "Very sorry to hear that Norma Waterson, the last of the singing Watersons from Hull, has passed away. She started out as a skiffler and went on to become one of the defining voices of English traditional music.
"My thoughts are with Martin and Eliza and the rest of the family."
Norma was born in Hull on 15 August 1939 – but it wasn’t until 1996 while in her late ‘50s that the singer released her debut album.
The record was a critical success and was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Mucis Prize and she went on to release four more albums between 1999 and 2018.
She married musician Martin Carthy – who she also performed with – in 1972, with the pair welcoming their daughter, Eliza, in 1975.
