SAN DIEGO, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Joan Kroc, who owned the San Diego Padres for six years in the 1980s, died Sunday of brain cancer.
She was 75.
Kroc died at her home in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. She succumbed to the disease after a brief battle.
Her husband, Ray, bought the Padres in 1974 and owned the team until his death in 1984, when Joan took over. Ray Kroc was best known as the entrepreneur who created the McDonald's fast-food chain.
"This is a sad day for the city of San Diego and the entire Padres organization," said current owner John Moores. "Mrs. Kroc was an important part of our history and a truly loved member of our family. Her spirit, warmth and smile will forever be with us. My heart goes out to the entire Kroc family."
In Joan Kroc's first season as the Padres' owner, the team made its first World Series appearance, falling to the Detroit Tigers in five games.
