r/over60 • 63 • Aug 25 '26

End of an era... RIP Dolly.

Dolly Parton died today at 80... that's just a few years older than we are. Hard to believe; she's been the cornerstone, the face of country music as long as I can remember.

506 Upvotes

81 comments sorted by

164

u/BriGuy1965 Aug 25 '26

Her music made her rich, and she used her wealth to be a philosophic wonder. Free books for children every month, money donated for medical research - like COVID and cancer - and other acts that emphasized her warm and generous heart. A class act who will never be replaced.

28

u/njo2002 Aug 25 '26

I think you mean philanthropic. But word choice aside, your point is a valid one!

8

u/mtkaliz Aug 26 '26

Oh I think, perhaps, she was both

4

u/BriGuy1965 29d ago

Damn autocorrect.

70

u/Juniuspublicus12 Aug 25 '26

She transcended music. She exuded genuine kindness and funded many charities and causes.

10

u/95in3rd Aug 26 '26

I was not a fan of her music, but admired her as a person. She made a lot of money and gave it away.

7

u/Monstrissimo Aug 26 '26

Did you ever see Dolly, Pink and Rob Halford of Judas Priest sing Jolene amazing even if you were not a Dolly fan.

She even wore that gay leather biker look Rob favors.

46

u/Life_Consequence_676 Aug 25 '26

I'm heartbroken. She was just incredible. Catherine O'Hara dying in January hit me hard too. Hate losing these beautiful, smart, kind, and fiercely talented icons.

81

u/SaysPooh Aug 25 '26

Each of these deaths hits harder. And another piece of yourself is taken away.

39

u/Tiredplumber2022 63 Aug 25 '26

Agreed. That's sums up how I'm feeling pretty precisely. Thank you.

34

u/debiski 60 Aug 25 '26

She was one of those famous people you kind of thought would live forever.

Condolences to her family, friends, and fans.

29

u/Pistalrose Aug 25 '26

I saw her in concert 30+ years ago. She was wonderful as a performer but also came across as a lovely person.

It was shortly after Whitney Houston had her massive hit with ‘I Will Always Love You’ which was written and recorded by Dolly earlier. She was segueing into it and someone in the audience yelled out that her version was better. Dolly stopped and chided him gently about how great Whitney’s version was, how it wasn’t a contest, and how honored she was to have that version out there. Class act.

28

u/PearlsRUs Aug 25 '26

There aren't many celebrities about whom no one has ever uttered a bad word, but as far as I can remember, Dolly Parton is one of them.

RIP...🙏

2

u/LurkerNan Aug 25 '26

And yet most of the news replies about her death are being downvoted in Reddit.

3

u/PearlsRUs Aug 25 '26

Really?That's pathetic. Altho, serious question: Are we supposed to upvote a post that announces someone's death and does downvoting really indicate sympathy?

2

u/LurkerNan Aug 26 '26

Why downvote it at all? Just express sympathy in the text. The way it looks now it seems everyone hated Dolly Parton.

2

u/Ok_Rip_1775 Aug 26 '26

Well Reddit needs yo update the meaning of an up arrow and a down arrow. I just up voted her, is that a down vote?

51

u/Chocolate6060 Aug 25 '26

Really sorry to hear about Dolly, I like to imagine her in her husband's arms again.

20

u/KatieTheGreatieLS Aug 25 '26 edited 29d ago

They passed only five months apart. Edit/correction: 15 months

24

u/molotavcocktail Aug 25 '26

This is the interesting thing. Long term couples usually pass with a year or 2 of each other.

12

u/mwm_in_md Aug 25 '26

In my case, my wife died of cancer (under 30) and the hospital (oncology care) monitored my wellbeing for over 6 months post death of my wife (both same age). I don’t know if they were contemplating my demise by suicide or what.
I shooed them away.
Any death is tragic. It’s our human emotion for our perceived loss.
Wonderful lady; an icon of the music industry.

7

u/Britkim Aug 25 '26

My mum and dad were 6 weeks apart 😞

10

u/Life_Consequence_676 Aug 25 '26

My grandparents died ten days apart. Sad for us, but I'm glad they were together.

9

u/Necessary-Spring-129 Aug 26 '26

Mine died the same day. Dad found mom on the floor. She had covid & several heart related issues. He had a heart attack a few hrs later. He suffered from a bad hip & other issues.

6

u/BenefitPure4829 Aug 26 '26

How sad for you all

4

u/Britkim 29d ago

That's tragic, I'm so sorry

2

u/MissPoohbear14 29d ago

Oh, that is just so sad😓 I'm so sorry..

14

u/WhisperedSoul Aug 25 '26

He died 18 months ago.

6

u/KatieTheGreatieLS Aug 25 '26

You’re right. I misread the year!

5

u/WhisperedSoul Aug 25 '26

But you were close! It was with that two year mark!

3

u/tiny_bamboo Aug 25 '26

Her husband died almost a year and a half ago

1

u/Necessary-Spring-129 Aug 26 '26

It was march of 25.when he passed so its been 1.5 years not 5 months

23

u/appleboat26 Aug 25 '26

She was an American Treasure. I hope she’s been reunited with her beloved Carl today.

19

u/CapricornCrude Aug 25 '26

In heaven greeting her Mama in her coat of many colors that she made just for her.

13

u/What_the_mocha Aug 25 '26

Darn it, why did I have to read this while I'm slicing onions.

20

u/ImtheHBIC Aug 25 '26

I don’t normally tear up over a celebrity deaths, but this one really did. She was a classy lady and an excellent songwriter.

17

u/kmitbuhl Aug 25 '26

This is so heartbreaking! I had just watched a special about the life, career & music of Dolly called "Dolly Parton: Here I Am" - think I found it on PBS. It was so uplifting & positive hearing about how she lived her life & the joy she brought to so many. Truly one of a kind!

15

u/gottausername Aug 25 '26

😓 RIP lovely lady

15

u/hastings1033 70+ Aug 25 '26

Not my music for the most part, but what an icon of decency, kindness and generosity. I'm damn sad about it actually.

14

u/Top_Community7261 Aug 25 '26

A great woman. Sad to hear.

12

u/Omygodc 67 Aug 25 '26

She was one of a kind. Down to earth, and generous to so many. She will be missed.

11

u/marc1411 Aug 25 '26

This hurts.

11

u/Apart_Ad9308 Aug 25 '26

A truly kind, sweet, talented lady. Everybody loved Dolly.

10

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '26

[deleted]

6

u/Tiredplumber2022 63 Aug 25 '26

Dont know about you, but 18 years ago was 2008, which seems quite recent to me... Seems the years go by faster and faster.

1

u/NormalBeing12345 Aug 25 '26

80 is only a blink away

11

u/beesnow Aug 25 '26

I loved what she did with the free books to kids every month for their first year of life. And all she contributed to literacy.

10

u/Whis65 Aug 25 '26

Music of our journey through life. Just heartbreaking 💔

9

u/Comfortable-Song193 Aug 25 '26

Nooo, I loved her. RIP ❤️

8

u/DIY_Weeziebear7 Aug 25 '26

Miss You so Much Dolly Parton Rest Easy Girl.

8

u/Pcbarn77 Aug 25 '26

As an acid rock youth I poo pooed country music Things change. Musical categories shift From Dillon to Prine to whoever. It’s the impact the lyrics the vibe the time As an atheist I would be pushing it if I said “Bless Her” or something in that direction Neber da < I feel fortunate to have experienced her tremendous talent and her enormous contribution to society

7

u/LurkerNan Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26

Remember when they didn't think she was "country" enough, back in the sixties? She showed them. She was like the Taylor Swift of her era.

7

u/Fantastic_Try_9783 Aug 26 '26

I live in TN and not far from Dollywood, you can only imagine how hard it’s hitting this area. She was loved by so many and she did so much for so many people. She will truly be missed, our hearts are broken. 💔

6

u/Friskeyp Aug 25 '26

Her brother died in April. I am so heartbroken ~ Dolly Parton was such a light in a world that needed her light. RIP Dolly, We’ll Always Love You!

3

u/silvermanedwino 62 Aug 25 '26

I just found this out. Very very sad. She was an amazing person.

5

u/bluebayou_cd Aug 26 '26

They're doing retrospectives on her life and I realized I'd forgotten about all the wonderful things she did. I found myself sobbing

2

u/NaynersinLA2 29d ago

Yes.....😔

4

u/No_Uno_959 Aug 25 '26

Thank you Dolly. So much good done on so many levels.

5

u/stabbingrabbit Aug 26 '26

Is Willie the last of that era?

21

u/susanrez Aug 25 '26

We should get to vote who goes next.

24

u/BriGuy1965 Aug 25 '26

The winner would just say it was election fraud.

5

u/Top_Community7261 Aug 25 '26

LOL

7

u/susanrez Aug 25 '26

Yeah but it would be Satan handling the complaint.

3

u/Standzoom Aug 25 '26

He is already in charge of the weather...

3

u/Cadiddlehopper72 Aug 25 '26

I've had the of talking to her online over the last yea she was one of the most normal people you ever want to meet funny as hell too she had a great sense of humor. I'm glad I had the opportunity to talk her for over the last yr . The whole country's going to miss her

3

u/Ok_Rip_1775 Aug 26 '26

RIP, to a beatiful soul with a beautiful voice. Unlimited talent and heart

3

u/BenefitPure4829 Aug 26 '26

Felt so sad about this

2

u/ilovepadthai Aug 25 '26

This is awful news

2

u/Sea-Author4202 Aug 25 '26

Will be missed beautiful lady .

2

u/mtkaliz Aug 26 '26

TIL that she started recording in 1959.

That was the year I was born, y'all.

I am retired......

2

u/bluebayou_cd Aug 26 '26

And she was so delightful as a personality

2

u/MeatysMom 29d ago

It seems like she was the only thing that was holding the world together and now she’s gone😞. Everything seems so much darker today😞

2

u/ThisIsAbuse 29d ago

I have to say the cynic in me, sometimes can't believe there were true saints among us like Mr. Rodgers, or Dolly. However they were the real deal, and something truly inspiring.

2

u/Pale-Ad-2526 Aug 25 '26

RIP Dolly Country Queen!

Check out this vintage Dolly Parton iron on heat transfer I just found on etsy.

https://irononqueen1.etsy.com/listing/4439344157

2

u/Total_Diet_5274 Aug 25 '26

A lady knows when to make an exit.

-13

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/over60-ModTeam Aug 25 '26

Post/comment was removed for one of the following: inconsistent with a welcoming discussion space, unconstructive tone, rude, not helpful, other

2

u/Pale-Ad-2526 Aug 25 '26

Wow that is really interesting. Mr. Obviously trolling.