Rachel Browne, a Canadian modern dance icon who founded Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers, died over the weekend at the age of 77.

Rachel Browne, seen in a Radio-Canada interview in 1997, died on Saturday at the age of 77.Rachel Browne, seen in a Radio-Canada interview in 1997, died on Saturday at the age of 77. (CBC)

Browne died suddenly on Saturday in Ottawa, family members said in a statement.

The dance company posted a brief message on its website Sunday, saying, "We are so very sorrowful."

Browne founded Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers in 1964 and was its artistic director, resident choreographer and teacher for more than 20 years.

Brent Lott, the company's current artistic director, called Browne the matriarch of modern dance in Canada.

"She was a groundbreaker. The company that she founded 48 years ago is the longest-running modern dance company in the country," Lott told CBC News on Sunday.

"She started from nothing and built a company with a national reputation."

The Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers' performance venue was renamed the Rachel Browne Theatre in 2008.

Browne remained active as a choreographer, teacher and dancer until her death.

Lott said Browne was in Ottawa on the weekend to see students perform in the Canada Dance Festival.

Statement from family of Rachel Browne

The family of Rachel Browne, founder of Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers (WCD), regrets to announce the sudden passing today [Saturday], in Ottawa, of their beloved mother, and grandmother.

Rachel Browne will be sorely missed by her children Annette Browne (John Shultis), Miriam Browne (Kevin McElrea), and Ruth Asper (David Asper) as well as by her grandchildren Daniel, Rebecca, and Max Asper.

Rachel Browne founded the WCD in 1964 and served as its Artistic Director, resident choreographer, and teacher for over twenty years.

Under her direction, the company grew from a local amateur group to a nationally recognized repertory company significant in the development of modern dance in Canada.

Funeral and memorial arrangements will follow in due course.