She was known as Cape Breton’s first lady of song.  Rita MacNeil has died at the age of 68.  Rita MacNeil’s website says she died last night from complications following surgery.

MacNeil recorded more than 24 albums during her career and won the first of three Junos in 1987 as most promising female vocalist.   She also won a number of East Coast Music Awards, Country Music Awards, and a Gemini for her variety show ‘Rita & Friends’ that ran from 1994 to 1997.

Some of her most popular songs include, “Working Man,” “Flying on Your Own,” ”Reason to Believe,” “I’ll Accept The Rose Tonight” and “Home I’ll Be.”