Holly Dunn, a well-loved country music star who had her heyday in the 80s has passed away from ovarian cancer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, according to multiple news sources. She was 59.
The singer, who has been retired since 2003, learned she had cancer in March, the Nashville Tennessean reported. She has largely been out of the public eye since she stepped away from music in order to pursue painting.
Dunn saw her song “Are You Ever Gonna Love Me” reach No. 1 in 1989. She had another No. 1 the following year, “You Really Had Me Going.”During the ’80s and ’90s, Dunn released 10 albums and saw 19 of her singles reach the Hot Country Songs Charts.
The late singer scored her first top-10 hit in 1986 with “Daddy’s Hands,” which reached No. 7. Her second album Cornerstone delivered three top-10 hits in succession, with “Love Someone Like Me,” “Only When I Love,” and “Strangers Again.”
She is survived by a brother, country songwriter Chris Waters.
A fighter with faith
Dunn went public when she was diagnosed with cancer and shared a message with her fans.
“Back in March of this year, I was diagnosed with a rare, very aggressive form of ovarian cancer,” she said. “If you read the statistics, it is very bleak. Good thing I don’t believe in statistics! I had surgery and now I am having chemo treatments. I have since grown more tumors and it is going to be more of a battle than I anticipated, but I have a huge faith in the healing power of God and the healing power within me that originates from my God. I look towards a future when I am completely healed and cancer free. I ask for prayers of strength and courage as this journey continues.”
The singer made it clear that while she was fighting the disease, she put her faith in a higher power, in her remarks which were reported by Taste of Country.
“My faith is my rock. But I also draw tremendous strength from my family and my family of friends who have gathered around me in total support,” she shares. “Being a Christian, I know that no matter how this chapter ends, I will be OK. Either upright walking on this earth or safe in my Savior’s arms.”
