Connie Francis' friend tells PEOPLE about the final days before her death, saying she'd be 'smiling' knowing she 'left this world as big a star' as ever

Fans of Connie Francis are mourning the loss of the popular singer following news of her death. Francis, who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, passed away on July 16 at the age of 87. Ron Roberts, the singer's royalties/copyright manager and president of her record label, Concetta Records, broke the news on Facebook on July 17.

The president of her record label, Ron Roberts, announced the news on Facebook. “It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night,” he wrote early Thursday. “I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news.”

George Franconero, Connie's brother, was attacked and killed in 1981. At the age of 40, two men shot him to death, pointing their guns at his head. He was reportedly clearing ice from his car at around 9 AM when those two assassins targeted him right in front of his home in North Caldwell, according to a report by UPI.

Connie Francis is starting to recover after the legendary singer was hospitalized with “extreme pain” last week.