BBC Radio 2’s Zoe Ball has confirmed a funeral was held for her late mother, Julia, after her death last month following a short battle with cancer. Zoe, 53, and her loved ones said their goodbyes to Julia on Wednesday and the service included eulogies from Zoe’s children, Nelly, 14, and Woody, 24.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday afternoon, Zoe shared with her 718,000 followers: “Yesterday we said goodbye to our dear Mama, Granny J. It was the perfect day and she would have loved it.
“Forever in our hearts Mama, thank you for your magic and love. Missing you so much but holding tight to each other.
“Thank you to everyone who sent kind messages, cards and flowers. Big love to the many of you who have shared with us about your own loss and heartbreak, to those battling with cancer or looking after loved ones affected by cancer, we wish you all the strength and love and of course the humour you need to keep going.
“Some days it’s so hard to be brave.”
Zoe revealed that she and her brother Jamie will fundraise for staff at the St Peter and St James Hospice as well as for Pancreatic Cancer UK.
The presenter penned: “Let’s hope one day more can be done to help those diagnosed. Our mum was diagnosed in February, we lost her in just 12 weeks.
“Huge gratitude to @stewart_the_celebrant what a superstar he is. To Karen @choirandko to @nelly_co0k @woody_cook Chris, Derek for bravely sharing [the] most fabulous moving eulogies for Mum.
“Love in abundance to Nicky, Sarah, Briony, Alex and the team at @pangdeanbarn the most magnificent venue in the foot of the South Downs, Giles at @southdownscellars to dear Ali @gobotanica and @pitfieldbarnflowers and to @woodvalechurch and to David and his team at [email protected].”
Zoe announced her mother’s death on April 24, just days after she confirmed Julia had been moved into a hospice following her pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Her cancer battle was announced on March 6 and Zoe explained that she would need to take time away from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show.
She wrote on Instagram: “Heartbreakingly our beautiful Mama Julia has been diagnosed with cancer. As many of you know from experience, these are extremely tough times. Mum is being incredibly brave…
“I’m trying to be at work on breakfast as often as I can but occasionally need to be home with my Mama. Thanks to Gaby (Roslin) for stepping in.”
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