Kate Spade‘s 89-year-old father has passed away the night before his daughter’s funeral.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that Katy’s father, Earl F. Brosnahan, Jr. (Frank), passed away last night at age 89,” the family said in a statement. “He had been in failing health of late and was heartbroken over the recent death of his beloved daughter.”
“He was at home and surrounded by family at the time of his passing.”
Spade’s funeral took place in Kansas City, where she was born, news.com.au reports. The family asked for donations to either the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or a Kansas City animal shelter in lieu of flowers.
Spade was found dead in her New York City apartment, aged 55, in what police ruled an apparent suicide on June 6.
Her husband, Andy, released a statement to the New York Times shortly after her death, revealing the couple had been living separately for 10 months and detailing his wife’s struggle with her mental health.
“She was actively seeking help and working closely with her doctors to treat her disease, one that takes far too many lives,” he wrote.
Yesterday, the fashion brand the couple founded, Kate Spade New York, announced its plan to donate $US1-million to mental health services.
Spade is survived by her 13-year-old daughter.