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Linda Nolan’s Funeral: Celebrities Pay Final Respects to Pop Legend After 20-Year Cancer Battle

BBG News

As an ardent admirer, I couldn’t help but notice the solemn demeanor of Linda Nolan’s former brother-in-law, Shane Richie, as he made his way to her funeral in Blackpool last Saturday.

On a chilly Saturday, people who were friends, relatives, or admirers of the celebrity came together near St. Paul’s Church in Blackpool, as they bid their final farewell following her passing a month ago.

On January 15, 2024, the singer lost her life at the age of 65 after a long struggle with breast cancer that lasted for two decades and also battling double pneumonia.

60-year-old Shane, previously married to Coleen (Linda’s sister) from 1990-1999, was among the earliest to show condolences, keeping his eyes concealed beneath dark-tinted sunglasses.

Currently, the only remaining Chuckle brother, Paul Harlan, aged 77, attended Linda Nolan’s funeral. He expressed his condolences by saying that the world would seem less bright without Linda, as they had shared many joyful moments together in the past.

Coleen Nolan’s son, Shane Richie (aged 35), stood as a bouncer for his aunt, while Linda’s eldest sibling, Denise (age 72), is set to deliver the eulogy.

Linda Nolan sadly passed away on January 15th at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, at the age of 65. After battling double pneumonia, she received end-of-life care and eventually slipped into a coma. Although she had been living with secondary breast cancer that affected her hip, liver, and brain, the cause of her death was not cancer itself.

The remaining sisters from the ’80s Irish pop band (Maureen, 71, Anne, 74, Denise, 72, and Coleen, 59) successfully collected £2,670 for Trinity Hospice.

I can hardly contain my excitement as I prepare to bid farewell to Linda, whose spiritual home undeniably lies in the vibrant city of Blackpool. This is the very place that witnessed the meteoric rise of the Nolans, after they relocated here in 1972 and called it their home for much of their lives. In fact, they were so deeply rooted in this town’s soul that they even dedicated a single to Blackpool’s beloved football club, immortalizing their unbreakable bond with the city.

10:30 am marked the start of the funeral service taking place in the very church on Honister Avenue, the same venue where Linda exchanged vows with her cherished spouse, Brian Hudson, back in 1981.

She conducted Brian’s funeral, following his passing from skin cancer in 2007 at the age of 60, within the confines of the church.

A private service followed at a crematorium nearby, with Linda laid to rest with Brian’s ashes. 

Earlier, it was shared by her sister Colleen that the decision for Linda’s final resting spot had already been made. She disclosed this information to The Mirror saying, “Upon Linda’s passing, my immediate thought was to unite Brian’s ashes with hers.

‘So that’s what we’re doing. In life they were never apart, so I’m glad they’ll be together again.’

Following Linda’s passing, her sisters Anne (age 74), Denise (age 72), Maureen (age 69), and Coleen (age 59) invited her admirers to pay their respects and honor the extraordinary life she lived.

Fans gathered outside St Paul’s in designated areas, joining in with the family’s final farewell. 

Last week, an invitation posted on social media extended a warm welcome: The Nolan family cordially invites you all to partake in a celebration honoring the remarkable life of Linda Nolan.

Linda was a radiant source of light, resilience, and constant love, who inspired all those she encountered, not just those close by, but also countless others worldwide.

Her being gone has left us with a deep longing in our hearts, yet the happiness, optimism, and compassion she generously spread will continue to thrive as her lasting impact.

As a devoted admirer, I’m extending an open invitation to everyone who ever had the privilege of knowing Linda, or whose lives she positively impacted. Let us gather together to honor her exceptional life, share memories, and pay our heartfelt respects.

Everyone is invited to assemble outside the church during the funeral service. And just like the lively Linda herself would want it, the more people, the better!

St. Paul’s Church holds a profound significance in Linda’s heart. It is where she exchanged vows with her beloved husband, Brian Hudson, whom she spent 26 blissful years married to. Brian was more than a partner to Linda; he was her rock, her soulmate, and the love of her life, as she was his.

In 2007, when Brian sadly passed away, Linda discovered an inner resilience that allowed her to continue living. Yet, the love she held for him remained unyielding throughout the years. It was at St. Paul’s Church where Linda bid farewell to Brian – choosing this very place to conduct his funeral, as it was also the site of their wedding vow exchange.

Now, Linda is going back to this special location to meet Brian again, achieving a sense of peace and finding solace within his warm embrace once more.

After the ceremony concludes, a small, exclusive cremation will take place at a local crematorium, with only immediate family members and closest acquaintances in attendance.

The family then expressed their wishes that any donations be made to a charity.

In tribute to Linda’s selfless and generous nature, the family aims to collect as many donations as feasible for Trinity Hospice, a charity close to Linda’s heart.

You may contribute through Linda’s memorial website, which is accessible via the link in our bio. Additionally, you can post messages of sympathy, heartfelt remembrances, and photos on this page, forming a lasting testament to Linda’s extraordinary life.

Linda wasn’t just a cherished sister, companion, and performer; she embodied optimism, wit, and fortitude.

In 2005, Linda was initially identified with stage-three breast cancer; however, she received a clean bill of health in 2006. Unfortunately, in 2017, she was diagnosed with an incurable type of cancer that had originated in her hip, and by 2020, it had metastasized to her liver.

Three years on, she disclosed that the cancer had advanced to her brain, revealing the presence of two tumors on the left hemisphere, causing difficulties in her speech and equilibrium.

She announced in August that the tumors, initially believed to be stationary, had started growing instead.

Prior to her passing, the previous star of the Nolans had penned an article in The Mirror expressing that she was starting to recover following a bout with double pneumonia. However, just two days later, she was urgently taken to the hospital due to respiratory issues.

However, even though Linda was given oxygen and advised to rest, and given her lively and cheerful disposition, she found it hard not to bring smiles to the people around her.

Instead of heeding medical advice to rest, she opted to use her last moments to spread joy and make people smile.

In the days following her passing, Linda’s sister Denise, aged 72, looked back on her sister’s undying enthusiasm for living. She recounted how Linda cherished each moment and bequeathed a legacy of love, laughter, and brightness.

In a conversation with The Mirror, Denise shared the events of her sister’s final hours. “My sister, who was beautiful, courageous, diligent, and gifted, had been filled with laughter and jokes,” said Denise. “Despite the medical team urging her to stay quiet to allow the treatment to work effectively, she continued to bring joy and humor around.”

“Everyone was secretly hopeful due to her radiant cheerfulness,” Denise added.

‘Then at 3.30am on Tuesday, we got the dreaded call, ‘Get to the hospital asap’.’

Linda arranged her own funeral details years prior to her passing, even selecting a shimmering pink casket for herself.

In her autobiography “From The Heart” published in 2018, she expressed: ‘I aim to sort out all my personal matters, as it is often said. Over the years, I’ve caused my family enough concern and I want to settle things now so they won’t have to deal with them if I should fall gravely ill.’

She mentioned: ‘I’ve selected the tunes for my funeral… I prefer the song “There You’ll Be” from Pearl Harbor, as performed by Faith Hill.’

The words could not be more appropriate for the instant when I’ll reconnect with Brian once more.

In 2007, the singer’s spouse, Brian Hudson, passed away due to liver complications following a diagnosis of skin cancer.

Linda wrote: ‘The tune they played at his funeral was the one we used to bicker over back then, jokingly deciding who would choose it for their own funerals someday. We thought death was something so far off in the future. Wow, how times have shifted.’

Additionally, she had earlier disclosed her preference for a coffin, sharing with The Mirror: “Brian had arranged his own funeral, and it was simply extraordinary.

Bernie organized it for ease of those who are left behind. I delved slightly into this topic. A Neil Sedaka tune, “Our Last Song Together,” comes to mind. And I have already chosen the funeral home I will utilize.

‘Brian’s coffin was like a flight case, with ‘This way up’, ‘Fragile’ on it.

‘Our auntie had a beautiful coffin with pictures of us around it.

‘Then Maureen said, ‘Look at this coffin, it was made for you, it’s pink glitter’.’

More recently, Colleen shared the tender arrangements she’s making for her sister’s funeral, disclosing that Linda had arranged certain particulars prior to passing away, and left behind a list of preferences for her siblings to follow.

One of the Loose Women stars explained that Linda preferred them to don headscarves (mantillas) and dark attire for the funeral service, and her casket was planned to include a touch of show business flair.

Coleen chuckled: “I recall exclaiming, ‘Linda, you’re kidding me! If I find all my sisters in mantillas at the funeral, I’ll be laughing the entire time! But we’ve chosen not to do that; instead, we’ll be dressed in black.

Her casket, with its vibrant pink and shimmery finish, reflects the flair of show business – a fitting tribute to her wishes. My sister had an affinity for all things glamorous and sparkly, so it seems fitting that her final resting place mirrors this love for bling.

Before her passing, Linda spoke openly about her concerns regarding succumbing to breast cancer, similar to her sister Bernie, during the period when she was experiencing severe flu-like symptoms. She ultimately passed away at the age of 65.

In an article penned just prior to her demise, Linda detailed how an extended illness lasting eleven days around Christmas turned the holiday season into a total washout.

In her last article for The Mirror, she expressed that the physicians had diagnosed a severe bout of influenza. Each time she attempted to walk a short distance, she found herself struggling to get enough air.

Today, my legs felt shakier than normal, and despite my efforts to avoid it, thoughts of Bernie’s final moments crept into my mind. It’s a moment when you suddenly wonder, “Could this be the end?

On Monday, I finally mustered up the energy to step outside again. It’s as if I’ve entered a brand-new universe! The exhilaration I get from slowly regaining my health after being under the weather is simply indescribable.

‘You’ve forgotten what it feels like to feel normal (well, I say normal?).’

In a particularly moving conclusion, she offered this thought instead of traditional resolutions: ‘I don’t particularly like them, but let me suggest one: I won’t yield to illness, not even the flu.’

As a lifestyle expert, I’m deeply saddened to share this personal news: Linda Nolan, an iconic figure in Irish pop music, television, and literature, has passed away. Known for her record-breaking performances on the West End stage, bestselling books, and insightful columns in The Sunday Times and Daily Mirror, she was more than just a celebrity – she was a legend. Her spirit will continue to shine brightly in our hearts and memories.

As part of the illustrious girl group known as The Nolans, Linda found international acclaim; she was the first Irish artist to sell more than a million records globally, and her music has been enjoyed by millions more with sales exceeding 30 million. Some of her most popular hits include Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention to Me, and the timeless disco sensation I’m In The Mood for Dancing.

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2025-02-01 13:09

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