KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Susan Lovie, the widow of the late Alleycats singer Datuk Loganathan Arumugam, has died at the age of 69.
Her daughter, popular singer-songwriter Dasha Logan, confirmed the news early this morning.
According to Dasha, 38, her mother succumbed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at Hospital Kuala Lumpur at 8.47am yesterday.
"Mum had been in hospital for 10 days, having been rushed there around 1.30am on Oct 2 in an ambulance when her health took a turn for the worse," Dasha said.
"Fortunately, she had a few good days of recovery and she talked to my elder brother Vigneshwaran and me a lot."
Dasha added that Susan had been ill for more than 15 years and they "almost lost her" to the illness 11 years ago.
"Mum fought hard, powered through and survived. Even though she lost her eyesight and the ability to walk, she was always in good spirits," said Dasha, who credits her mother as her biggest fan and critic.
"Mum was a big fan of her children and she always supported us in our careers."
Dasha lost her father to cancer in 2007 when he was 53.
"The heartwarming thing in such a moment of grief is that our parents are finally united. Mum missed Dad every single day since he left us then," she said.
Susan's wake is being held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Setapak, and her funeral mass takes place at 10 am tomorrow.
Her remains will be taken to the Cheras Crematorium after the mass.
Loganathan and his elder brother, Datuk David Arumugam, were the founders and lead singers of The Alleycats, which was formed in 1969.
One of the country's most iconic multiracial pop and rock bands, they are famous for evergreen hits such as Hingga Akhir Nanti, Andai Aku Pergi Dulu, Sekuntum Mawar Merah Sebuah Puisi, Seribu Bintang and Nota Terakhir.
Susan's last major public appearance was early last year at the launch of Dasha's EP, Legasi, which featured new versions of several Alleycats songs.
The launch took place at VOX KL, KLCC, along Jalan Tun Razak, and was also attended by David, who recorded some of the tracks as duets with Dasha.
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