Alma Wahlberg,78, Dies; 'Wahburgers' Star Was Mark And Don's Mom

BROOKFIELD, WI— Wahlburgers, the restaurant chain led by actors Mark and Donnie Wahlberg and their brother, Paul, is mourning the loss of matriarch Alma Wahlberg, 78.

The Wahlberg family has nine children.

The Wahlburgers, launched in 2011 with brothers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg, was featured in an A&E reality TV show. The menu has food the men ate as children, including burgers, sandwiches and a government cheese homage.

Alma inspired many of the signature menu dishes such as "mom's sloppy joes" and "Alma macaroni salad."

The restaurant, which has a location in Brookfield, paid tribute to Alma with a social media post on Sunday.

"To our Wahlburgers family, we are saddened to share that our dearest Alma has peacefully passed away. Though our hearts hurt with her loss, we will remember her smiling face and her infectious personality and will be forever grateful for all that she has left behind. ⁣
⁣
"When we gather around the family table next, we will take comfort in remembering all that she has brought to this community that she cherished so dearly. ⁣
⁣
"Family is the heart of Wahlburgers and Alma will forever be an important part of our story."

Mark Wahlberg posted on social media with the words, "My angel. Rest in peace."

Donnie Wahlberg also posted on Instagram about his beloved mom who set him on his life's path. He said his mother was someone who came from humble beginnings and never forgot where she came from. He described her as being the most loving human being who was never disrespectful to anyone.

"I’ve often said, if you like anything about me, I got it from Alma. I say that because it’s true," Donnie Wahlberg's post said.

She was the epitome of the word grace, according to her son.

"As a young boy, she’d invite me to sing her favorite song with her (Native New Yorker by Odyssey) as she cleaned our home. There’s no doubt that the two of us singing into a mop stick, while disco dancing on our 'sparkling' linoleum floor, helped inspire the dreamer in me — just like the dreamer in her.

"Her other favorite song, If I Could by Regina Belle, is the song that she danced with each of her children to, at their weddings. I surprised her at mine by having Ms Belle sing it to her.

"I did so because, despite the fact that my mom could do (and actually did) many of the things mentioned in that beautiful song, she still wondered if she’d done the job of being the best mother she could be. Today, I say with tremendous certainty, and gratitude, she absolutely did. It’s time to rest peacefully, mom"