( CNN ) -- The mother of `` Good Morning America '' host Robin Roberts has died , ABC News reported early Friday . Roberts made it home to Mississippi to see her 88-year-old mother , who died Thursday evening , according to the news network . The morning show host was preparing to leave the show Friday to take an extended medical leave , but left a day early to help her ailing mother . Her mother , Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts , appeared on the morning show several times , CNN affiliate WXYZ reported . The anchor 's extended medical leave follows her June announcement that she 's been diagnosed with MDS , a rare blood disorder that affects the bone marrow . Her sister , Sally-Ann , is a match , and the `` GMA '' host is scheduled to start her treatments for a bone marrow transplant next week . `` There 's a point that really resonates with me when I think about this time of my life . Life provides losses and heartbreak for all of us , but the greatest tragedy is to have the experience and miss the meaning , '' Roberts said Thursday . `` I am determined not to miss that meaning , because through it I have discovered that I have been given many gifts , gifts that will carry me through this difficult time . '' She 'll be back to the show soon , she said . Roberts found a match , but others likely wo n't be as lucky . CNN 's Breeanna Hare and Jordana Ossad contributed to this report .
Roberts makes it home to see her mother before she passes . The death follows the announcement that Roberts has a rare blood disorder . She is set to start treatments for a bone marrow transplant next week .