Carol Bongiovi, the beloved mother of rock star Jon Bon Jovi, passed away just days before her birthday.

Jon lovingly described her as a “force to be reckoned with.”

Carol Bongiovi, Jon’s mother, passed away three days before she would have turned 83.

Jon, 62, shared heartfelt words about his mother following her passing at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey.

“Our mother was a force to be reckoned with; her spirit and can-do attitude shaped this family,” Jon expressed to PEOPLE.

“She will be greatly missed.”

Carol played a significant role in the Bon Jovi fandom, having started the fan club for her son’s iconic band. Interestingly, she was also a former Playboy bunny.

Back in 1959, Carol joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where she met her future husband, John Bongiovi, Sr.

Together, they raised their family in Sayreville, New Jersey, before relocating to Holmdel, New Jersey, which remained Carol’s home until her passing.

The family has decided to hold a private funeral service for Carol, managed by Holmdel Funeral Home.

Carol leaves behind her husband of 63 years and their three children: Jon, Anthony, and Matthew.

Reflecting on his parents, Jon has previously credited them with providing him with “incredible support” during his formative years as an aspiring singer.

“Even if you weren’t good at your craft, you could work on it if you believed in yourself,” Jon told The Big Issue in November 2020.

“As I grew older, I realized the wonderful gift my parents gave me.”

“They really had that John F. Kennedy spirit—‘of course, you can go to the moon.’ They encouraged me to chase my dreams.”

Jon often recalls how his parents would chauffeur him to shows when he was just 17 years old.

“They were incredibly supportive of my ambitions,” Jon reminisced.

“I could come home at one or two in the morning and still be ready for school by 8 AM.”

“They told me to show up on time for school but never to stop pursuing my dream.