After battling multiple recurrences of ovarian cancer since 1997, Amanda Dempsey, the mother of Grey’s Anatomy actor Patrick Dempsey, has passed away. She died on Monday at the age of 79 surrounded by family.

Dempsey and his sisters Mary and Alicia were inspired by their mother and founded the The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing in 2008. They partnered with the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine where their mother had been treated. The Dempsey Center provides “free cancer support, education and integrative medicine services to anyone impacted by cancer, regardless of where treatment is received.”

At the time of the center’s opening, Dempsey said, “For a family to get a cancer diagnosis is devastating, and all the information out there can be overwhelming. So I talked to my sister about a place where people could go for all this type of information and help. Knowledge is power.”

Central Maine Healthcare President and CEO Peter Chalke said, “The entire Central Maine Medical family mourns the passing of Amanda Dempsey.” He continued, “Amanda Dempsey was both a great lady and a determined fighter who displayed tremendous courage, class and grace during her long battle with cancer…We will miss Amanda deeply, but we were all blessed by knowing her and being inspired by her life story.”

Dempsey Center Executive Director Wendy Tardif said, “Amanda’s passing has only made us more resolute in our mission, and we will continue to expand and grow our services and share her legacy with the world. The Dempsey Center’s Healing Garden will be named in Amanda’s Honor, and though physically she is no longer with us, we know she will continue to be a source of quiet strength and unwavering perseverance at the Dempsey Center and Dempsey Challenge. Our hearts are heavy, but they are also full as we realize the thousands of lives Amanda touched.”

Amanda Dempsey led the survivor walk during the Dempsey Challenge weekend for the last five years with her children and grandchildren. The Challenge has raised over $5 million to date to support the Dempsey Center.

Fans of the actor took to Twitter to send their condolences to the Dempsey.

Thoughts and prayers to Patrick Dempsey and his family.

— JJ48 (@chevychevelle48) March 26, 2014

Very saddened by the news of Patrick Dempsey's mom passing. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Dempsey family! We got your back McDreamy ❤️

— Greys Anatomy Quotes (@GreysQTS) March 25, 2014

Condolences to @PatrickDempsey on his mother's passing. Sad day, but @dempseycenter is a powerful legacy. http://t.co/uBG4XctyZR

— David Howard (@davehoward99) March 26, 2014

Condolences to @PatrickDempsey, whose mother succumbed to cancer on Monday. She inspired this @DrRichardBesser piece: http://t.co/auvtVl3WSa

— Josh Elliott (@JoshElliottABC) March 26, 2014

One person on Twitter thinks some media outlets have their news topics in the wrong order.

The fact that Kanye West's baby peeing on him is bigger news then Patrick Dempsey's mother passing is a little disgusting. #shameonyouE!

— Rebecca (@RebeccaSyrie) March 26, 2014

Amanda Dempsey is survived by her husband Howard Lowell and three children, Patrick, Alicia, and Mary.

Image via Patrick Dempsey, Twitter.