Dolly Parton’s sister, Stella, has claimed that the country music icon had been willing to try “experimental drugs” while being treated for cancer “in the hope of helping others”.
Following the news of the Jolene singer-songwriter’s death at the age of 80 earlier this week, her sister paid her respects in a lengthy Facebook post.
As the world remembered Dolly’s legacy in the music and entertainment business, many have also been pointing to her generosity, kindness and principles while paying their respects, with Stella agreeing: “My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known.
“What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future.”
She added: “My sister was always thinking of others and if you want to honour her legacy, show more kindness, lift others up and give more of your time and resources as she continued to do to the very end.
“I want to personally thank all of you for the outpouring of love and respect you are showing my sister. Your love and respect for her is deeply felt by all of us who loved her first and it helps as we grieve her passing through our lives!”
“Dolly loved the world and everyone in it,” Stella concluded. “I would criticise and complain about it and she would laugh and say: ‘shoot Tedda, we’ve got more important things to do than worry about their silly asses’. She was right and she proved it everyday.
“She left the world a better place by being in it so let’s follow her example.”
Over the course of the last year, Dolly had shared with her fans that she was being treated for “health challenges”, but chose not to disclose the specifics in her lifetime.
After the news broke of her death, her family issued a statement confirming she’d died after a “brief battle with cancer”, also sharing that she would be laid to rest in a “small” and “private” funeral attended by her nearest and dearest.
