With all the outpouring of love and mourning over the death of Donna Summer, no country artist has expressed the true loss of such an iconic artist as eloquently as Dolly Parton. The ‘I Will Always Love You’ singer issued an official statement about the death of her fellow singer and songwriter on Thursday.

“I can’t believe we’ve lost another wonderful singer. Donna, like Whitney, had one of the greatest voices ever. I loved her records,” says Parton (quota via MSO PR). As expected, Parton is as distraught by Donna Summer’s death as she was by Whitney Houston’s passing in February.

Of Summer, Parton adds, “She was the disco queen, and will remain so. I knew her and found her to be one of the most likable and fun people ever. She will be missed and remembered.”

Known best for her disco hits ‘Last Dance,’ ‘McArthur Park’ and ‘Hot Stuff,’ Summer also had a little known connection to country music — at least as a songwriter. She penned ‘Starting Over Again’ with her surviving husband, and the song later became a No. 1 for both Parton in 1980 and Reba McEntire in 1995.

Summer died Thursday morning (May 17) at the age of 63 after a battle with lung and breast cancer. She is survived by her husband Bruce Sudano, their daughters Brooklyn and Amanda, as well as her daughter Mimi from her previous marriage. “Words truly can’t express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time,” writes her family in an official statement.

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