Natalie Cole Lives, But Sister Carol Cole Dies

Natalie Cole is 59; sister Carole Cole was 65. Carole Cole was adopted by her parents. Natalie Cole's publicist, Maureen O'Connor, said Carol Cole died Monday, the same day Natalie received a kidney transplant.

The singer was by her Carol Cole's side when she learned that a donor organ had become available. According to Natalie Cole's sister, Timolin Cole:

“She said, ‘What do you mean? I can’t deal with that right now! I’m here with my dying sister!’ And they said to her, ‘No, ma’am. We’ve got to do it now. You’ve got to be at Cedars-Sinai in two hours,”

"I told her, 'Natalie, this is God's gift, and you've got to go now. Cookie would want this for you.' "

Carol Cole appeared on her father's "The Nat King Cole Show" on television in the 1950s and went on to appear on TV and in movies in the 1960s and '70s. One can only say this week has been both a blessing, and a tragedy, for Natalie Cole.