The widow of legendary Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn died of natural causes at the age of 98 on Saturday, the team announced Sunday.
Marge Hearn, married to Chick until his death in 2002, was wed to the famed broadcaster for 64 years.
"We are very sad at the passing of our beloved Marge Hearn," Jeanie Buss, Lakers President and co-owner, said in a statement. "We consider ourselves blessed and fortunate, however, to have had her be a part of the Lakers family for six decades. She was truly the First Lady of the Lakers, sitting alongside her husband, the Voice of the Lakers, Chick Hearn."
Marge Hearn, wife of legendary announcer Chick Hearn, passed away last night at age 98 of natural causes. pic.twitter.com/I5O4InVs8v — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 31, 2016
"Marge was like everybody's mom, especially a lot of the Laker wives were able to confide in Marge as somebody they could trust," Lakers coach Byron Scott said prior to Tuesday's game. "[She was] somebody that they loved, and (she) would be a lot like Chick as far as giving it to you pretty straight. Marge has always been like a Laker mom as far as I’m concerned."
Marge was survived by granddaughter Shannon Hear and great granddaughter Kayla Hearn-Newman.
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“I remember having great conversations with Marge and Chick," Kobe Bryant said after Tuesday's game. "Obviously, her being the backbone of Chick for so many years, it's sad to see her go. Those two are just a legendary Laker couple."
Bryant added, "I had some great conversations in the tunnel with her and Chick--probably can't repeat them. Her sense of humor was extremely sharp and probably offensive to most people in this the sensitive culture nowadays."
