April 21
— Paul McCartney released the following statement today reacting to the death of his wife, Linda, who had been suffering from cancer:
This is a total heartbreak for my family and I. Linda was, and
still is, the love of my life, and the past two years we spent
battling her disease have been a nightmare.
She never complained and always hoped to be able to conquer it.
It was not to be.
Our beautiful children—Heather, Mary, Stella and James—have
been an incredible strength during this time, and she lives on in
all of them.
The courage she showed to fight for her causes of vegetarianism
and animal welfare was unbelievable. How many women can you think
of who would singlehandedly take on opponents like the meat and
livestock commission, risk being laughed at, and yet succeed?
People who didn’t know her well, because she was a very private
person, only ever saw the tip of the iceberg. She was the kindest
woman I have ever met; the most innocent.
All animals to her were like Disney characters and worthy of
love and respect. She was the toughest woman who didn’t give a damn
what other people thought. She found it hard to be impressed by the
fact that she was Lady McCartney. When asked whether people called
her Lady McCartney, she said, “Somebody once did—I think.”
I am privileged to have been her lover for 30 years, and in all
that time, except for one enforced absence, we never spent a single
night apart. When people asked why, we would say—”What for?”
As a photographer, there are few to rival her. Her photographs
show an intense honesty, a rare eye for beauty.
As a mother, she was the best. We always said that all we wanted
for the kids was that they would grow up to have good hearts; and
they have.
Our family is so close that her passing has left a huge hole in
our lives. We will never get over it, but I think we will come to
accept it.
The tribute she would have liked best would be for people to go
vegetarian, which, with the vast variety of foods available these
days, is much easier than many people think. She got into the food
business for one reason only, to save animals from the cruel
treatment our society and traditions force upon them.
Anyone less likely to be a businesswoman I can’t think of, yet
she worked tirelessly for the rights of animals, and became a food
tycoon. When told a rival firm had copied one of her products, all
she would say was, “Great, now I can retire.” She wasn’t in it
for the money.
In the end, she went quickly with very little discomfort, and
surrounded by her loved ones.
The kids and I were there when she crossed over. They each were
able to tell her how much they loved her.
Finally, I said to her: “You’re up on your beautiful Appaloosa
stallion. It’s a fine spring day. We’re riding through the woods.
The bluebells are all out, and the sky is clear blue.”
I had barely got to the end of the sentence, when she closed her
eyes, and gently slipped away.
She was unique and the world is a better place for having known
her.
Her message of love will live on in our hearts forever.
I love you, Linda.
Paul
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Taken from ABC News website