Kanye West's mother memorial

Nov 16, 2007, 13:30 GMT

Donda West (R), mother of US Hip-hop recording star Kanye West, at a charity benefit for the Kanye West Foundation in Chicago, Illinois, USA. According to Donda West\'s publicist Patricia Green, Donda West, 58, died 10 November 2007 in a Los Angeles, California, USA hospital from complications from a cosmetic surgical procedure, 12 November 2007. EPA/KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI

Kanye West's mother Donda will be remembered by family and friends in a memorial service today (16.11.07).

The service will take place at Chicago State University, where Donda - who died last weekend as a result of "complications during a surgical procedure" - worked as an English professor for 24 years.

Robyn Wheeler, director of University Relations, said: "She had a vibrant spirit and one that was nurturing and also supportive but nonetheless always challenging. We felt the service should reflect who she really was."

Kanye, who is in London, is not expected to attend the service today. Donda's funeral will be held in Oklahoma City next Tuesday (20.11.07).

Meanwhile, friends of the rapper have been lending him their support to help him through the difficult time.

Soul singer John Legend said he was "praying" for Kanye, adding: "Dr. West wasn't just the mother of a superstar. She was an accomplished, successful, beautiful woman in her own right.

"She raised and nurtured a brilliant son with the strength and resilience to follow his dreams and to turn tragedy to triumph. I pray that he continues to stay strong during these trying times."

US TV actress Holly Robinson Peete contributed: "She reminded me a lot of my mother. I had an instant connection with her. I'm going to miss her smile, I'm going to miss her integrity and I'm going to miss seeing Kanye and his mother together."

(C) BANG Media International