Kay Yow’s father died on Monday morning at the Glenaire nursing home in Cary.

Hilton Yow moved close to Kay Yow two and a half years ago to live in the nursing home, which is 10 minutes from where Kay lives.

“He woke up this morning and he was doing fine — he wanted to get out of bed early,” Yow said. “They took him to eat breakfast, and he couldn’t eat breakfast.”

She found out later that morning that he had died in his sleep.

“He just dozes off sometimes,” Yow said. “They just thought he had dozed off, but he had passed away.”

Hilton had been in the hospital “a couple times” in the last couple of weeks. Yow said he had plenty of good days, but he did have a few bad days.

Just within the past month, he had been diagnosed with prolonged congestive heart failure, Yow said. He had been put on oxygen — something he didn’t enjoy.

“I’m just really thankful that he’s not in pain,” Yow said. “He didn’t struggle — I worried because emphysema patients on oxygen, death can be sort of tough. I worried about that. We’re really blessed that it was no pain and he just went in his sleep just like that.”

His death came two days before Yow turns 65. She said the viewing is expected to take place this Wednesday on her birthday, March 14, while the funeral will be Thursday.

On Monday, Yow said nothing about missing any games in the upcoming tournament.