The Good Morning America anchor’s mother, Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts, died Thursday at the age of 88, co-anchor George Stephanopoulos announced on the show Friday.

The sad news follows Roberts’ announcement that she will be taking a medical leave to undergo a bone-marrow transplant after being diagnosed earlier this year with myelodysplastic syndrome, a disease of the blood and bone marrow.

The 51-year-old had originally planned to start her leave after today’s show but announced Thursday that she’d begin it a day early so she could fly home to Mississippi to be with her ailing mother.

On the show Friday, Stephanopoulos said that Robin “wanted to get home a little early to say goodbye to her mom. She made it home just in time.”

He also described Lucimarian as “a woman filled with so much joy.“

Lucimarian was the author of the inspirational book My Story, My Song, which featured fond reflections and recollections from Robin.

Our thoughts are with Robin and her family at this difficult time.