Florence Delorez Griffith Joyner, better known as FloJo, is still the ultimate speed queen in the world of athletics. Her mind-blowing records in the 100 meters (10.49 seconds) and 200 meters (21.34 seconds) have stood the test of time—36 years, to be exact—and no one has come close to breaking them. Flo-Jo isn’t just a legend; she’s the legend, holding tight to her spot as the fastest female athlete of all time.

Sadly, the world lost this track sensation way too soon. On September 21, 1988, at just 38, she passed away from an epileptic seizure caused by a brain blood vessel abnormality. The news shattered her fans, leaving an unfillable void in the world of athletics. But FloJo’s legacy hasn’t been forgotten. Her family, especially her husband, Al Joyner, has been making sure her memory lives on in the most touching ways.

Take November 13, for example—Al posted a heartfelt birthday message for their daughter, Mary Joyner, who turned 34. The Instagram post was a beautiful collage of Mary’s life, showing her growth from a child to a woman. In those photos, you can see FloJo holding little Mary, looking at her with pure love, her smile practically lighting up the whole frame. The caption read, “On this day 34 years ago Mary Joyner the 2nd was born..Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter.” If that didn’t make you misty-eyed, I don’t know what will. It’s these personal glimpses that remind us that Flo-Jo was more than just a record-breaker; she was a mother, a wife, and a beloved family member.

Mary, just eight years old when she lost her mom, has carried that heavy heart with her throughout her life. But she’s channeled it into something positive, becoming an acclaimed singer and even appearing on America’s Got Talent. Still, the pain of missing her mother is something she can’t shake, and it pops up every now and then in her social media posts during special moments.

On Mother’s Day, she put up a touching Instagram story dedicating it to FloJo “Happy Heavenly Mother’s Day, Mommy.” She then added, “I love you & miss you every day.” This showed how much she valued the eight years of her life she spent with her mother. Losing a parent at such a young age can be devastating, and Mary’s words reflect the lasting sadness that comes with it.

She had previously admitted that she could not bring herself to watch the sport after FloJo’s death. However, the wheels of life move on, and Mary now has developed a good life for herself. Now, she’s on a mission to uphold her beloved mother’s legacy through her work and the internet.

FloJo’s daughter has tried to always celebrate her mother’s legacy

When Mary Joyner showcased her musical talent on America’s Got Talent in 2012, she brought her mother FloJo back into the limelight. Many were enthralled by the performances she put on, which led to her reaching greater heights. She was invited to the US track and field trials in Eugene to sing the national anthem.

It was a full-circle moment for her as she was back at the place where her mother created history. When she spoke about the significance of this honor to her, Flo-Jo’s daughter said, “The national anthem meant so much to my mother.” Even on the most significant day of her career, she remembered her mother.

Mary has gone on to make her own mark, building an impressive career as a songwriter, producer, singer, and performer. While she didn’t follow her mom’s track footsteps, she did try her hand at gymnastics and has been an instructor at Browns Gymnastics since 2015, according to her LinkedIn profile. Through all her creative pursuits, Flo-Jo’s memory has been right there with her—guiding, inspiring, and, no doubt, cheering her on.