MARTHA STEWART - MARTHA STEWART'S MOTHER DIES

U.S. lifestyle queen MARTHA STEWART's mother has died. She was 93. Martha Kostyra - who was nicknamed 'Big Martha' - passed away at Norwalk Hospital near her home in Weston, Connecticut, on Friday (16Nov07) after suffering a stroke early last week (begs12Nov07). Stewart, 66, has often credited Kostyra for teaching her all she knows about the tips and tricks of domestic work, and she frequently appeared alongside her daughter on her morning TV show, Martha. Stewart broke the news of her mother's death on her website on Saturday (17Nov07), where she posted video clips of the two together on her blog. She writes: "I am very sad to tell you that my mom passed away. Here's a tribute to Martha Kostyra - Big Martha." Widowed Kostyra, a retired teacher, is survived by her six children.