Sophie Tucker lung cancer and kidney failure on February 9, 1966, aged 79, in New York City. She had continued working until the months before her death, playing shows at the Latin Quarter just weeks before. She is buried in Emanuel Cemetery, in Wethersfield, Connecticut, her home state. Tucker's comic and singing styles are credited with influencing later female entertainers including Mae West, Rusty Warren, Carol Channing, Totie Fields, Joan Rivers, Roseanne Barr, Ethel Merman, "Mama" Cass Elliot of The Mamas & the Papas, and most notably Bette Midler, who has included "Soph" as one of her many stage characters. She also
Mamas & Papas Mamas & Papas was described as the "UK's bestselling nursery brand". At this time they were expanding the number of their overseas outlets. In 2014, the business embarked on cost-cutting associated with a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). Store closures were considered but were avoided by the CVA. The private equity firm BlueGem Capital Partners took a majority share in Mamas & Papas in the summer of 2014, joining a portfolio that includes Liberty and Jack Wills. The company returned to profitability in 2015. In 2016, the rejuvenated retailer opened a 5,000 sq ft flagship store at Westfield London. Mamas &