And while the sad news has rocked the family, the musician's ex-wife Christie Brinkley has shown her support by sharing an emotional Instagram tribute.
At 60, Christie Brinkley is happy to play the part of cougar >>
Brinkley shared a picture of Rosalind in her younger years and captioned it with a touching message to celebrate her life.
"At sad times, we look for ways to find the good to lift our spirits," Brinkley wrote, "so I have only to imagine what Rosalinda's Eyes have seen to find cause to celebrate a life well lived!"
"Just in this year alone she saw her son, Billy Joel, receive the Kennedy Center Honor, the highest cultural honor possible, from the President of the United States no less, and Rosalind greatly appreciated the Arts!" the model wrote.
Billy Joel talks heroin use and why it scared him >>
"She also saw her son get a regular gig at Madison Square Garden, where he already holds a record and where Roz is welcomed on a first-name basis."
Christie Brinkley Instagram
Rosalind, who inspired her son to write the song "Rosalinda's Eyes" from the 1978 album 52nd Street, also had a granddaughter from her son and Brinkley's marriage, Alexa Ray Joel, and Brinkley was keen to share how proud of her granddaughter Rosalind had been.
The former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue model went on to praise Rosalind, calling her an inspiration.
Kennedy Center reveals 2013 honorees >>
"Rosalinda's Eyes will live on not only in the song inspired by her, but in Billy, and Alexa...and Nanny Roz herself would find that worth celebrating. #cherishedgrandmother #restinpeace"
Our thoughts are with Rosalind's family and friends during this sad time. She is survived by her children, son Billy Joel and daughter Judy Molinari; sister Bertha Miller; and two granddaughters, Alexa Ray and Rebecca Molinari Gherkin.
