Martha Stewart's mother dies

WESTON, Conn., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Media mogul Martha Stewart's mother, Martha Kostyra, has died in Weston, Conn., at the age of 93.

Kostyra died Friday after suffering a stroke, Stewart announced on her Web site. Stewart credited her mother with teaching her everything she knows about keeping housekeeping and and cooking, The New York Daily News reported Sunday.

Kostyra, a former teacher who raised six children in Nutley, N.J., frequently appeared on Stewart's television show and in her magazine, Martha Stewart Living.

Kostyra's death came eight days after Stewart announced to her television audience her mother had suffered a stroke and was hospitalized.

Fans posting comments on Stewart's blog remembered Kostyra -- a tiny woman nicknamed "Big Martha" -- as strong and loving, the News reported.

Kostyra told CNN's Larry King in 2003 it was no mystery how her famous daughter developed her perfectionist persona.

"Probably learned it from me," she said.