“Cake Boss” star Buddy Valastro is “absolutely crushed” after losing the woman who raised him

HOBOKEN, NJ - NOVEMBER 01: TV personality Buddy Valastro and mother Mary Valastro attend Cake Boss Buddy Valastro's book launch at W Hotel on November 1, 2010 in Hoboken, New Jersey. (Photo by John W. Ferguson/Getty Images for Cake Boss) *** Local Caption *** Mary Valastro;Buddy Valastro

Rest in peace, Momma Mary.

Videos by Rare

The mother of “Cake Boss” star Buddy Valastro has died after a years long battle with ALS. She was 69 years old.

Valastro’s rep said in a statement to PEOPLE:

Mary took a turn yesterday, and Buddy rushed back to New Jersey last night to be by her side. She passed early this morning, June 22nd, surrounded by all of her children. Mary’s condition had been steadily worsening these past months, so it was not sudden but still extremely heartbreaking for the family. After eight years of fighting her battle with ALS, the family is relieved she is no longer suffering. Buddy and his sisters are absolutely crushed right now.

RELATED: Singer Harry Styles mourns the loss of one of his close family members

Valastro also shared his grief with fans in an emotional post on Instagram.

“It’s with an extremely heavy heart that I must share the news of my mother’s passing,” he wrote alongside the photo of his mother. “She left for heaven this morning, surrounded by the family. This is a difficult time for all of us and I do ask for your patience and respect while we let this sink in. Her battle with ALS has ended, she is no longer suffering and I hope she’s dancing to ‘I Will Survive’ with my dad right now.”

After her diagnosis, the Carlo’s Bakery owner started the Mama Mary Foundation to raise funds and awareness for ALS.

Our thoughts are with his family.

What do you think?

An investigation into the mysterious crash of an F-16 at Ellington is under way

From fit to fail — these workout disasters are a riot