Mark Wahlberg and brother Donnie announce the passing of their mother Alma at age 78: ‘My angel’ 

Mark and Donnie Wahlberg have announced the passing of their mother Alma.

The brothers paid tribute to their late mother following her passing at age 78 on Instagram on Saturday morning.

Mark, 49, posted a beaming photo of his ‘angel’ while Donnie, 51, remembered Alma with a heartfelt video montage and statement reflecting on her life as a devoted parent. 

‘My angel. Rest in peace,’ Mark captioned the photo of his mother, sparking an outpouring of support from followers.

Donnie remembered the happy memories he had of his mother with a touching video tribute and lengthy statement.   

‘I’m so blessed to have been brought into this world by, raised by, taught by and set on my life’s path by, such an amazing woman,’ Donnie captioned the video.

‘My mom Alma’s joy for life, love and people — combined with a pride in her humble beginnings and refusal to forget where she came from — undoubtedly shaped me into the man that I am.

‘I’ve often said, if you like anything about me, I got it from Alma. I say that, because it’s true. She was, without a doubt, the most loving human being I’ve ever known.

‘I never heard her say, or do, anything disrespectful to anyone. She was, as anybody who ever came across her knows, true blue.

‘Like so many moms who struggled, overcame odds, made something from nothing and pulled off the impossible for their children, she never complained. She did what needed to be done, most often, with a smile. She made the best of times in the worst of times.

‘That was Alma — mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, friend, ally, warrior, angel. She made no apologies for who she was, but never put herself above anyone else. She kicked our butts if we messed up, kicked anyone else’s butts if they messed with us. Taught us right, made us pay the price when we were wrong. She was the epitome of the word grace.

‘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.

‘I love you, miss you, thank you and will celebrate you, today and always.’

The brothers did not reveal a cause of death in their posts, however Donnie has previously opened up about his mother’s battle with dementia, according to People. 

Over the summer, Donnie shared that his mother was struggling with her memory during a recent visit.   

‘I know that so many of you have asked how my mom Alma is doing. During my visit, she didn’t remember much, and was often confused, but somehow she was still Alma. She still lights up a room. She still made me smile,’ Donnie told fans back in July 2020.

‘She’s still stubborn. And she still loves her baby Donnie. I thank you all, for your well wishes.’

Fans of the stars are certainly familiar with Alma, who made frequent appearances on their show The Wahlbergers.

Donnie even named his Italian restaurant Alma Nove after her. The name of the eatery was also a nod to the nine children she shared with her late ex-husband Donald Wahlberg, according to TMZ.

The couple were married from 1965 to 1982.

Together Alma and Donald had children Arthur, Paul, Jim, Robert, Donnie, Mark, Michelle, Tracey, and Debbie, who passed away in 2003, together.