Donna Summer's Family Planning Private Memorial

Rumors have been floating around about a possible Donna Summer tribute/ memorial to take place in Nashville, but thus far, the late singer’s family is only committing to a private event for family and close friends. No specific time or place was mentioned in a statement released by Summer’s former publicist today, but more than likely, it’ll happen soon and probably in Florida where she passed away on Thursday.

Whenever a beloved celebrity dies, there’s always a debate about whether the deceased would have wanted something small and intimate or grandiose and open. With Summer, the answer isn’t immediately clear. In many ways, she was an intensely private person. In fact, she didn’t even widely talk about being diagnosed with cancer ten months ago, preferring to instead battle it quietly alongside her husband Bruce Sudano. In other ways however, Summer was a larger than life figure who embraced her fans and her status. She performed regularly, toured the world and took time out to meet some of her many admirers.

According to The New York Daily News, the released statement touched on those very same fans and said the thousand of well-wishes were “truly appreciated”. Summer may have felt loved during her life, but something tells me she would have still smiled at three of her albums entering the charts within days of her death.

Regardless of whether the singer’s family ultimately plans something for her supporters, her legacy will continue on through the dozens of brilliant tracks she gifted to the world.