Tom Morello's Mother, Mary Morello, Dies at 102

*Mary Morello at the Forum on September 15, 2016 in Inglewood, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)*

Mary Morello, the mother of Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello and a lifelong activist, has died at the age of 102.

Tom Morello shared the news Sunday in an Instagram post, writing, "Mary Morello is forever with the Rebels of Light & Song."

In June, Tom announced that his mother had been hospitalized and canceled his European solo tour so he could return home to care for her.

Born in Illinois in 1923, Mary Morello lived in Kenya during the early 1960s, where she met and married Tom's father, Ng'ethe Njoroge. She gave birth to Tom in New York City in 1964 before the family relocated to a suburb outside of Chicago, where he was raised.

Mary dedicated much of her life to activism. She founded the organization Parents for Rock and Rap, which advocated for protecting music and artistic expression from censorship. Her commitment to political causes became a major influence on Tom Morello, who later helped found Rage Against the Machine, a band known for its outspoken political message.

In 2023, Mary celebrated her 100th birthday with a party featuring Jack Black performing Ozzy Osbourne songs.

This article was adapted from original reporting by ABC Audio, as featured on 105.7 The Point.