Cory Monteith’s Parents Pass Away Weeks Apart: Family Tragedy After Glee Star’s Death

Fans of Glee know the heartbreak that came with losing Cory Monteith. He was only 31 when he died in 2013. Now, a fresh wave of grief has hit the Monteith family. Cory’s parents, Ann Marie McGregor and Joe Monteith, died just weeks apart this year.

When Did Cory Monteith’s Mom Die?

Ann Marie McGregor passed away peacefully on June 18. She was 74. Her family shared that she had been receiving care at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. They thanked the doctors, nurses and palliative care team who helped her through her illness.

For people who followed Cory’s story, Ann’s name is familiar. After Cory’s death, she spoke openly about how losing him changed her forever. She told PEOPLE in 2018 that she still struggled every day. She said her world stopped the day he died. Many parents say no loss hits harder than losing a child. For Ann, that pain never faded.

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What Happened To Cory’s Dad?

Joe Monteith, Cory’s dad, died on May 12. He was 75. Just like Ann, Joe was battling a serious illness and was in palliative care when he passed. His family thanked the nurses and staff who looked after him during his final months.

Joe and Cory had a complicated relationship. They were estranged for many years. Joe and Ann divorced back in 1989. Cory and Joe lost touch for more than a decade but reconnected about two years before Cory’s death. Joe once said he regretted not getting the chance to say goodbye. After Cory died, Joe told PEOPLE that the pain of losing his son ripped him apart inside.

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How Did Cory’s Death Impact His Family?

When Cory died in 2013, the world knew him as Finn Hudson, the sweet quarterback-turned-singer on Glee. But to his family, he was just Cory. He died from a mix of alcohol and drugs. He was only 31.

His mom was open about the hole that loss left behind. She admitted she felt stuck. She couldn’t put the pieces back together. Joe felt the same but with extra layers of regret for the years they didn’t have together.

How Did The Glee Cast Handle His Loss?

Glee was filming between seasons when Cory died. His co-star and girlfriend, Lea Michele, was faced with a hard choice. She went back to work only a month later. She once said she pushed aside her own heartbreak so the rest of the cast and crew wouldn’t lose their jobs. It was a heavy burden for someone grieving the love of her life.

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Ryan Murphy, who co-created Glee, said years later he wished they’d shut the show down for good. He believed the cast needed more time to grieve. In his words, you can’t really bounce back from losing someone like Cory.

Who Did Cory’s Parents Leave Behind?

Ann and Joe didn’t just have Cory. They’re both survived by Cory’s brother, Shaun Monteith. Ann also leaves behind her three brothers and her sister, along with their families.

Joe leaves behind his wife, Yvette, his brother Phillip, and stepchildren Paul and Dale McCoy. He also leaves behind several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The Monteith family has known more than its share of loss. Cory’s death brought them into the spotlight in a way no family wants. Now, losing both parents so close together brings back that pain for everyone who loved them.

Fans still remember Cory’s kindness and talent. His family’s story is a reminder of how grief lingers, even long after the cameras stop rolling.