Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, the only woman to have graced The Grateful Dead's lineup, has died at 78.

The band confirmed the news in a Nov. 3 Instagram post caption that read, "It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Donna Jean Godchaux. Her unmistakable voice and radiant spirit touched the lives of countless fans and immeasurably enriched the Grateful Dead family."

The statement continued, "Her contributions will forever remain part of the tapestry that continues to be woven. We send our deepest condolences to her loved ones and ask for privacy for her family during this time."

The singer died at a hospice on Sunday, Nov. 2, in Nashville after a lengthy cancer battle, according to Rolling Stone and People.

The Alabama-born talent sang with the revolutionary band alongside her first husband, Keith Godchaux, from 1972 to 1979. Both went on to perform with founder Jerry Garcia's Jerry Garcia Band from 1976 to 1978, while Garcia performed with the couple as a member of the Keith and Donna Band. She also sang backing vocals on tracks by Elvis Presley, Percy Sledge, Cher and Neil Diamond.

The Godchauxs would eventually part with the band altogether due to artistic differences. The husband and wife went on to form the short-lived Heart of Gold Band, based on a line from the Grateful Dead's "Scarlet Begonias." Following Keith Godchaux's death in a car accident in 1980 and Garcia's death in 1995 from a heart attack, Godchaux-MacKay appeared at several single-show reunions and tributes with surviving band members.

Godchaux-MacKay formed the Donna Jean Band in 1998 and released her debut album "Donna Jean" that year. She formed what would eventually become the Donna Jean Godchaux Band in 2006. Her last album, with Zen Tricksters musician Jeff Mattson, was released in 2014.

She went on to marry Donna Jean Godchaux Band and Fiddleworms bassist David MacKay. She is survived by sons Zion "Rock" Godchaux and Kinsman MacKay, who went on to form the group BoomBox.

Founding Grateful Dead member and bassist Phil Lesh died in October 2024.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donna Jean Godchaux, the Grateful Dead's first lady, dies at 78

Reporting by Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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