Mary Duggar, a star on The Learning Channel’s reality shows “Counting On” and “19 Kids and Counting” passed away at the age of 73, according to multiple reports.
Mary Duggar’s granddaughter, Jill Duggar, confirmed that the 73-year-old passed away on June 9 on a post on her social media account, meant to be a tribute in honoring her grandmother’s life, according to PEOPLE. Jill Duggar posted a black and white photo featuring her grandmother and her sons.
“My heart breaks. My grandma died suddenly today,” Jill Duggar wrote on her Instagram. “She was an amazing woman of God and such a great example to so many! Grandma, you are greatly missed by all who knew you! She was a feisty, incredible woman who always took the time to talk about Jesus with everyone she knew! I knew she was ready to check outta here and get her new body in heaven before the old one started giving her too much trouble! We miss you so much!!”
The family’s official Facebook released a statement regarding Mary Duggar’s death, and it shared the story of the 73-year-old’s life as well as how she had impacted the people around her, according to Us Weekly.
“We are so sad to share that Grandma Duggar (Mary) passed away Sunday afternoon, June 9th, 2019. Mary Lester Duggar grew up in Farmington, Arkansas and was married almost 50 years to J.L. (Jimmy Lee) Duggar who preceded her in death,” the post read. Following, the post gave further details about Mary Duggar’s devotion to Jesus from age 15, who from then on would always share about her faith and love of God with others. In addition to being in both reality television shows, she also worked as a real estate broker who owned Good Neighbor Realty in Springdale, Arkansas.
“Grandma Mary Duggar has been on the TLC shows, ’19 Kids & Counting’ and ‘Counting On’ with her family for over 15 years. She is greatly loved and will be missed so very much! She lived a tremendous life as a follower of Christ, a wife, a devoted mother, a loving mother-in-law, and a much-loved grandmother,” the post read further. “We deeply appreciate your prayers for our family and all who loved Mary during this time.”
The rest of her family shared their own tributes on social media, expressing their gratitude toward Mary Duggar and how much they miss her. Anna Duggar, Mary Duggar’s granddaughter-in-law, also wrote on her Instagram and shared about the late Mary Duggar and how wonderful she was, according to Us Weekly.
“Great-Grandma Duggar went to heaven today to be with Jesus! What an awesome woman of faith and such a loving example of God’s love,” she wrote. “She was a true soul-winner and loved everyone she met, telling them to turn from sin and trust Jesus for salvation.! Miss her soooo much and we cherish each other moment we were blessed to spend together! Lots of tears being shed here—grateful for all the prayers!”
Joy-Anna Forsyth, one of Mary Duggar’s granddaughters, posted a number of family photos and shared them on her Instagram as a tribute to Mary Duggar, according to Us Weekly.
“Grandma Duggar…She was a strong woman, role model, godly counselor… and my favorite person to watch ‘The Price is Right’ show with,” she wrote. “She is GREATLY loved & missed! Thank you all for your kind words and prayers for our family!”
Mary Duggar had a total of two children—Deanna Duggar and Jim Bob Duggar, whom she is survived by. Jim Bob Duggar married Michelle Duggar, and the couple had 19 children together—Joshua, Jana, John-David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedediah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johanna, Jennifer, Jordyn, and Josie, according to a guide to the Duggar family by Us Weekly. Eight of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s children have gotten married, and most of them married couples have their own children already.
