Back to the Syracuse Orange Newsfeed

Syracuse great Pearl Washington's mother, Jannie, dies at age of 88

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Jannie Washington, the mother of Syracuse University basketball great Pearl Washington, passed away on Sunday due to heart and lung complications. She was 88 years old.

Jannie Washington had been admitted to Jamaica Hospital in Queens a little over a week ago. She had appeared to be improving, but suffered setbacks on Saturday.

"She was young at heart and full of life,'' Debra Busacco, Pearl's fiancee, said Wednesday night. "Her whole family was with her at the hospital.''

Pearl Washington died on April 20, 2016 after a long battle with brain cancer. He was 52 years old.