Donnie Wahlberg from “Blue Bloods” and his brother, Mark Wahlberg, lost their mother, Alma, earlier this month.
Their mother passed away at the age of 78. The family held an intimate church service in Boston, which is the family’s hometown. Alma had been known for her humble and hilarious ways on the family’s reality series, “Wahlburgers.” She had dementia as well, which impacted her memory and behavior. The family also owns a restaurant called Wahlburgers, which Alma helped run.
The Wahlbergs were mostly surrounded by family while saying goodbye to their beloved mother. However, a close family friend, Joey McIntyre, was also present at the funeral. He is the youngest member of the very popular ’80s pop group, New Kids on the Block. Donnie Wahlberg was also in the band alongside him.
Wahlberg Praises Joey McIntyre
He most recently used his voice to help honor Alma at her service. According to Today, McIntyre had reached out to Donnie Wahlberg prior to the funeral asking if he could sing a song. During an Instagram live chat, the two former bandmates got together to talk. Wahlberg revealed just how much hearing his voice at his mother’s funeral meant to him.
“I don’t think a lot of people know that you sang at my wedding. But I certainly know a lot of people don’t know that you texted me and offered to sing at my mom’s service. It was so elegant and so beautiful,” Wahlberg said.
The two spent 35 years together as New Kids on the Block bandmates. Along the way, a very close bond had formed. His presence and voice alone made all the difference at the service.
“You sang like an angel and you always do in the most important moments of our friendship and history, but that’s something I’ll never forget. Sitting with my family and some of your family and listening to your voice, I closed my eyes and felt overcome with gratitude and humility. You transformed that day. Your range as an actor and performer are without limit, but in that moment, it was so transcendent [and] a side of you and tone and grace that was a different gear. It was overwhelming,” Wahlberg said in the Instagram Live video.
Mark and Donnie Wahlberg Instagram Posts
After their mother passed away, both of the Wahlberg sons posted sweet tributes on their Instagram to share the positive impact Alma had on their lives.
Donnie posted a video that is a collection of his favorite memories alongside his mother. The very first clip is an intimate moment of the two dancing together. At his wedding, Wahlberg had Regina Belle sing the song “If I Could.” It was one of his mother’s favorite songs and she danced to it at each of her children’s weddings.
“My mom Alma’s joy for life, love and people — combined with a pride in her humble beginnings and refusal to forget where she came from — undoubtedly shaped me into the man that I am. I’ve often said, if you like anything about me, I got it from Alma. I say that, because it’s true,” Donnie Wahlberg wrote.
Jenny McCarthy, Melba Moore, Kathy Sledge, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, and many others offered their condolences to the actor in the comments.
Mark Wahlberg also shared an image of his mother on social media after she passed away. He captioned it, “My angel. Rest in peace.” He also shared another image of his entire family sitting alongside Alma on the couch. He touchingly captioned it, “Miss you, grandma.”