Jodie Marsh’s heartbreak as she lays mum to rest in emotional funeral after cancer death
Jodie Marsh couldn’t hold back her tears as she paid tribute to mum Kristina after her brave battle with an aggressive form of cancer
Jodie Marsh sobbed as she paid tribute to her “fierce, loyal, kind and ridiculously clever” mum in a heartbreaking eulogy at her funeral.
The former glamour model’s mum Kristina Marsh died in September after battling an aggressive form of cancer, and had “faded fast” after being “turfed out of hospital” during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
At her funeral yesterday, Jodie stood in front of the small number of permitted mourners – who had to socially distance inside the chapel – to lay her mum to rest.
Thanking her musician boyfriend Billy Collins-Nuttall for giving her strength, Jodie told the small crowd: “She adored Billy and Billy adored her, they had their own unique bond and I take great comfort from that.
“Mostly, though, I take comfort from the fact Mum finally got to see me truly happy and in love. It was all she ever wanted for me and I’m so grateful that she got to know and love Billy.
“I know that she knew Billy would be there for me and take care of me, and I know she knew that Billy is the one I’ve been waiting all my life for.”
Jodie paused to control her breathing and fought back years as she continued: “I want to include this quote a friend gave me recently. ‘On the darkest day when I feel inadequate, unloved and unworthy, I remember whose daughter I am and I straighten my crown.’
“My mum was fearless, loyal, brave, hard-working, kind, supportive, stylish, beautiful, elegant, classy and so ridiculously clever. In Alison’s words, Mum was outwardly a stunningly beautiful serene swan, but so so powerful underneath.”
The model added: “What I’ve learned from Mum is always believe in yourself, to never give up, to love with all your heart, to always be kind and to enjoy life as much as you possibly can.
“My mum was genuinely the most beautiful soul that ever lived. And that leads me perfectly into our first song, this song was written by my amazing partner Billy. He wrote it for Mum and Dad as their Christmas present last year and it’s the story of their love.”
Jodie also shared pictures of her mum’s flower-festooned casket, which was decorated in Kristina’s favourite pink, and of the pallbearers all wearing masks in the matching colour.
“All the boys did so amazing today but Billy did me so proud,” she captioned one snap.
“Billy and Colin (our best friend) were asked by dad to carry mum in with my dad and brother and Billy has been so stressed about it. It’s the biggest honour you can do for someone – carry them in – I think. And though Billy felt so honoured and privileged, he was so scared of messing up.”
She went on: “I am so so so proud of him and I love him so much. He was literally amazing and so strong. Mum loved him so much and I’m so happy he was able to do this for her. He’s been my rock throughout all of her illness and now this. I can’t put into words how grateful I am for him.”
Jodie and Billy cared for her mum at home throughout the pandemic, when Kristina was dying from an aggressive form of cancer.
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