New Delhi/Moscow, Dec 17 (IANS): President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday mourned the death of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's mother Gayatri Banerjee.

In her condolence message to the chief minister, Patil said: "Gayatri Devi was a woman who had a will of steel. After the loss of your father when you were young, she gave you guidance and provided the environment at home, necessary for your development."

"That is why it is said that god created the mother, as he cannot be everywhere," she added.

Better known as Gayatri Devi, Banerjee's mother was admitted to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata Nov 25 with kidney-related ailment and was on ventilator support for the last few days. She breathed her last at 8.35 a.m. Saturday.

Manmohan Singh, in a message to Banerjee sent from Moscow where he was on a three-day official visit, said he was deeply sorry and empathises with the chief minister on her loss.

"I know how close she was to you and I can feel your pain and sorrow and sense of loss at this sad happening," he said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please accept my most sincere condolences," the prime minister said in his message.