Queen Latifah’s Mother, Rita Owens, A Wayne Native, Dies: Reports

WAYNE, NJ — Rita Owens, a former township resident and Bergen County restaurant owner, died Wednesday, according to reports.

Owens suffered from heart failure. She was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2004, according to the Washington Post.

Owens previously co-owned Mangos restaurant in Hackensack, a former Caribbean and soul food restaurant that was popular among professional basketball players when it opened in 2006, the Daily Record reported. Owens' age was not given in either report.

"Anyone that has ever met her knows what a bright light she was on this earth. She was gentle, but strong, sweet, but sassy, worldly but pragmatic, a woman of great faith and certainly the love of my life," Latifah, whose real name is Dana Owens, said in her statement to USA TODAY. "She had struggled with a heart condition for many years and her battle is now over. I am heartbroken but know she is at peace.”

Latifah appeared with Owens in a video for the American Heart Association for its Rise Above Heart Failure initiative.

"My mom is the strongest person I know," Latifah said in the video. "Helping me take my first steps as a child, supporting me unconditionally and, after her diagnosis with heart failure, inspiring her and everyone around her."

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Photo: Queen Latifah and Rita Owens attend Lifetime's 'Steel Magnolias' Premiere Event on Oct. 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Lifetime)