FYI:
Claudette Yamin, mother of singer Elliott Yamin, died last night. She was 65.
She had been hospitalized during the weekend at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. Her cause of death was not released.
Elliott Yamin, 29, became a local celebrity during his 2006 run on the TV show “American Idol,” where he placed third. During the competition, his mother, Claudette, became known to “Idol”-watchers and Richmonders for her fiery spirit.
Last year, Claudette Yamin moved briefly to Los Angeles, but returned to the Richmond area in February.
“I went to see if I could rebuild my health,” she said in a February interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch. (A broken hip had never fully mended.)
A message posted last night on Elliott Yamin’s Web site by his good friend Brandon Crowe said, “The world lost a beautiful soul. I can’t go into any details at this time except to say that she went peacefully.”
Crowe’s message on etrainstation.com said the family has asked for privacy and that in lieu of sending flowers, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Central Virginia chapter. (Elliott Yamin has Type 1 diabetes).
Besides Elliott, Claudette Yamin is survived by her younger son, Scott Yamin, who is in pharmacy school at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C., and her daughter, Jodi Queen, who lives in San Diego.
I’ll be going to the funeral and other family related events tomorrow.
So sorry for your family’s loss.
Please tell Elliott he is dearly loved and sorely missed.
I'm sorry to hear that.
From what little I saw of her on TV she seemed like a very nice and gentle person.
Sincere condolences to Elliott and to all of Claudette’s family on the loss of their brave and beautiful mother.
To you, too, misterrob.
May she rest in peace.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss - you and your family are in my prayers.