AceShowbiz - Music icon Dionne Warwick is in mourning following the death of her beloved aunt and mentor, Cissy Houston. Cissy, who passed away at 91 on October 7 at her home in Newark, N.J., was under hospice care for Alzheimer's disease.

Warwick, 83, shared her sorrow and gratitude with fans on social media, writing, "I'm so deeply saddened, however, knowing that my Aunt Cissy died peacefully and that she is in a much better place, is a consolation and comfort to me. I have seen your messages of condolences. On behalf of my family, thank you."

Both Warwick and Cissy began their illustrious careers as members of the Drinkard Singers, a family gospel group managed by Warwick's mother, Lee, who was Cissy's sister. Recalling their time together, Warwick told PEOPLE in 2022, "I called her Aunt Cissy growing up. Because we were so close in age, I always looked at her as an older sister. It was heaven when we all sang together."

Warwick reminisced about Cissy's "incredible voice," a talent she passed on to her daughter, Whitney Houston. "Whitney came up exactly the way we all did, in the church choir. It was just preordained; she was going to sing," Warwick stated. "Her destiny was as was the rest of the family. As if God pointed a finger at us and said 'Let them vocal cords do what they got to do.' "

In the year following Whitney Houston's tragic death in 2012, Cissy published "Remembering Whitney," a heartfelt memoir for which Warwick penned the foreword.

In her touching tribute, Warwick wrote, "[Cissy] might have felt like an older sister to us, but she never let us forget she was our aunt. She was a strong young woman then, and she is a strong, loving woman now. Cissy has always wanted the best for everyone in her family. She's always giving encouragement and support, and she's tried on many occasions to give advice."

Cissy's death was formally announced by her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, describing the family's loss in a poignant statement. "Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives," Pat said. "A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community."

"Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts. Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled. We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us and we are thankful for all the many valuable life lessons that she taught us. May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and other cherished family members."

As the music community and the world bid farewell to Cissy Houston, her familial and artistic legacy remains. Through Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston, and the church choir roots that bind them, Cissy's memory continues to resonate, a timeless testament to the power of faith, family, and an exceptional gift for song.