Joey Feek's ACM tribute on Sunday brought a standing ovation from her peers in the country music world as they remembered the late singer/songwriter who made up one half of the award-winning duo Joey + Rory.
Feek, 40, who died of cancer on March 4, was recognized as her husband Rory Feek's daughter Hopie and a family friend watched on from the audience, Martina McBride told the crowd before presenting the award for vocal group of the year.
"A few weeks ago, we lost a member of our country music family with the passing of Joey Feek,"
Darius Rucker, co-presenter, said, according to People. "Of all the different ways we could honor Joey, we think that what would mean the most to Joey and her family is just one more time, for all of us, her fans who loved her, to give her a big round of applause."
McBride added that Feek will be remembered for more than her performances.
"Joey was more than a wonderful singer and an ACM-winning artist along with her husband Rory," McBride added. "She was a beloved mom, daughter, family member, and friend."
Joey + Rory were nominated for an Academy of Country Music award in the vocal duo of the year category, but ultimately lost to
Florida Georgia Line, according to Us Weekly.
Rory Feek, 50, who chronicled his wife's illness on his blog "This Life I Live," did not attend the awards program, according to People.
He last posted a message on Easter.
"I can't help but think of my bride today," he wrote then. "To remember all the Easter's [sic] we've spent together over the years and what this morning would be like if she [was] still here with us. What it would mean to her to share Easter this year with our two-year-old. It would be so, so special."
Joey Feek was diagnosed with cervical cancer in June 2014, four months after giving birth to the couple's daughter, Indiana Boone, and she underwent surgery in early 2015 along with chemotherapy and radiation. The couple's daughter was diagnosed with Down syndrome after she was born.
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