Tom Selleck's mother Martha passes away at the age of 96

Tom Selleck. Pic/AFP

Los Angeles: Actor Tom Selleck's mother, Martha Selleck, has passed away at the age of 96.

The mother of the "Magnum, P I" actor died on February 19 in California's Oak Park, Selleck's publicist announced, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Martha, who was born in Pennsylvania and raised in Detroit, served as the president of the Motion Picture Mothers organisation from 1998-2016, which donates to the Motion Picture & Television Fund, the operator of the Woodland Hills home and hospital for retired members of the industry.

She moved to Sherman Oaks in 1948 with her husband Robert Dean Selleck, along with their two sons - Bob (born in 1944) and Tom (1945).

She also worked as the longtime member of the Congregational Church of the Chimes in Sherman Oaks and a supporter of Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys.

Martha was also honoured by the American Mothers organisation, the Boys and Girls Club of the San Fernando Valley and the March of Dimes Birth Defect Foundation.

Apart from Selleck and Bob, she is survived by Marti and Dan, 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.