Rams owner Georgia Frontiere dies at 80

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- St. Louis Rams owner Georgia Frontiere died at 80 Friday in Los Angeles after a long fight against breast cancer, the NFL team reported.

Frontiere, who became owner of the club when it was based in Anaheim, Calif., had been hospitalized for several months in Los Angeles.

"Our mom was a beautiful person who lived an extraordinary life," Frontiere's daughter, Lucia Rodriguez, and son, filmmaker Chip Rosenbloom, said in a joint statement.

"She put up a courageous and brave fight. Thanks to her doctors and her spirit we were blessed with more time with her than expected."

Frontiere was a native of St. Louis, where she moved the team in 1995.

"It's been my privilege for 28 years to work for a loyal, generous, and supportive owner who was totally committed to her football team," Rams President John Shaw said.

"This is an enormous loss for me and for the Rams' organization. All of our prayers and sympathy go out to her family."