Jackie Guthrie, Wife of Arlo Guthrie, Died: Folk Singer's Longtime Spouse Dies from Liver Cancer at 68

Jackie Guthrie, the longtime wife of popular folk singer Arlo Guthrie, died at the couple's Sebastian, FL winter home on Sunday (Oct. 14) at the age of 68. According to an obituary released by Arlo's record label Rising Son Records, Guthrie suffered from inoperable liver cancer which inevitably led to her passing. The couple just recently celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary together.

Arlo has consistently kept fans up-to-date on Jackie's health condition through messages on his Facebook page since her cancer diagnosis in September, leading right up to the day of her death.  Check out Arlo's loving posts honoring his wife here.

Jackie, originally from Salt Lake City, moved to Malibu, California where she met Arlo while working as a cashier at the popular nightclub Troubadour in 1968. Apparently before even meeting Arlo, Jackie pulled aside his stepbrother and told him that she "would marry Arlo." The couple moved out to Washington, MA the next year, and they were married on their own front lawn.

Arlo wrote on his Facebook page: "We didn't always like each other. From time to time there were moments when we'd have our bags packed by the door. But, there was this great love that we shared from the moment we met - a recognition - It's YOU! And we would always return to it year after year, decade after decade and I believe life after lifetime."

The "Alice's Restaurant Massacre" and his wife happily raised four children together. Over the summer, the Guthrie clan toured to celebrate the centennial birthday of Arlo's father, famous folk singer Woody Guthrie. According to her obituary released on Monday, Jackie became so weak that she could barely hold up the camera. She was then diagnosed with liver cancer in early September and her health quickly began to deteriorate.

Arlo has cancelled/postponed some upcoming shows, but says he plans on continuing his musical tour next week in Canada. Thoughts and condolences go out to the Guthrie's on the loss of Jackie Guthrie.