Yesterday afternoon, we lost the Queen of Disco to her battle with lung cancer. Via her website, Beyonce took the time to write a letter in tribute to a woman that inspired her career. See what Bey had to say below.

Marisa Mendez

“DONNA SUMMER MADE MUSIC THAT MOVED ME BOTH EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY TO GET UP AND DANCE. YOU COULD ALWAYS HEAR THE DEEP PASSION IN HER VOICE. SHE WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN THE QUEEN OF DISCO SHE BECAME KNOWN FOR, SHE WAS AN HONEST AND GIFTED SINGER WITH FLAWLESS VOCAL TALENT. I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE FAN AND WAS HONORED TO SAMPLE ONE OF HER SONGS. SHE TOUCHED MANY GENERATIONS AND WILL BE SO SADLY MISSED.

MY LOVE GOES OUT TO HER FAMILY DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.

LOVE,

B”