“She was a sweet and warmly beautiful spirit, and all those who knew her are united in loss,” McNally added. “The family requests privacy at this time of grieving. In the words of Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, ‘May the four winds blow her safely home.’”
Following the news of her passing, the band have taken to social media to share a tribute in her honour. They wrote: “It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Donna Jean Godchaux. Her unmistakable voice and radiant spirit touched the lives of countless fans and immeasurably enriched the Grateful Dead family.”
The Grateful Dead continued: “Her contributions will forever remain part of the tapestry that continues to be woven. We send our deepest condolences to her loved ones and ask for privacy for her family during this time.”
Godchaux joined the Dead in 1971 alongside her husband Keith, who played keyboards. She sang on several seminal records by the psychedelic giants, including ‘Europe ‘72’, ‘Wake Of The Flood’ and ‘Terrapin Station’, and many of the band’s famous bootleg live recordings.
