"The fear of death follows from the fear of life; a man who lives a full life is prepared to die at any time" - Mark Twain

When most of us lose a loved one there is no chance to celebrate the achievements of their life. It is perfectly normal when we suffer a bereavement to feel sadness, emptiness, even anger and often guilt. There are often thoughts of “I can’t go on without her”, or “if only..” or “why didn’t I tell him”. There will always be people saying to us “it gets easier” or “remember the happy times”, I’ve heard people say that it’s the circle of life, if a grandparent dies before their children and their children’s children it’s a good day- that’s how it should be, none of which of course make it any easier.

2016 has finally been carried out and left us to our thoughts at the wake. A miserable year, in which we voted to leave the European Union and saw terror attacks murder innocents all around the world. It was undoubtedly one of the worst years for losing celebrities in a very long time. The world mourned Bowie in January and George Michael in December, but do we really grieve celebrities that most of us have never and will never meet or know. Yes, we will miss out on any new materiel they might have made but many of those that have passed away have been relatively inactive for years and most have already made their impact on the world.

Bowie is often mentioned as an influence by modern musicians and no doubt a generation growing up the 80s will always remember Wham! and George Michael. They were both talented and gifted artists and their death gives us a chance to celebrate their work. What we always seem to forget though is that behind the flashing lights and the headlines, these are real people that have left behind loved ones that will miss them as real people. Those who died in ’16 will have been someone’s Son, Daughter, Mum, Dad, Brother Nephew, Niece or friend. We would do well to remember that.

David Bowie, Terry Wogan and Alan Rickman all died in January.       

                                     

In February critically acclaimed author Harper Lee passed away. Her 1^st book, to kill a mocking bird won the Pulitzer prize in 1961 yet her second book, the sequel Go set a watchman was only published in 2015.

TV Agony Aunt Denise Robertson died in March. The 83 had pancreatic cancer. Ronnie Corbett and magician Paul Daniels also died in March.

It’s hard to believe it was April when the world said goodbye to Prince. He passed away in his recording studio soon after apparently suffering from flu. 62 year old comedienne Victoria Wood also passed away in April.

Bread creator Carla Lane, who also wrote classics Butterflies and Liver birds died in May.

June saw the passing of boxing legend Mohammed Ali, he was voted sports personality of the millennium. The former world champion had suffered from Parkinson’s disease for decades.

 

In July comedy actress Caroline Aherne lost her battle with cancer she was just 52. She starred in the Royle Family as well as playing her alter ego Mrs Merton. As Mrs Merton she famously asked Debbie Mcgee “what first attracted you to millionaire Paul Daniels?”.

August 29^th saw us lose comedy actor Gene Wilder. The 83 year old was best known as Charlie in Charlie and the chocolate factory as well as roles in Blazing saddles and Young Frankenstein.   

  

 

 

Alexis Arquette, actress and transgender rights activist passed away on 11^th September aged 47.

LA Confidential director, Curtis Hanson died on 20^th September. The Oscar winner also directed 8mile and Wonder boys.

Golfing legend Arnold Palmer died on the 25^st September. He is considered by many as the man responsible for turning game from country club pursuit to one enjoyed by the masses. He was 87.  

   

Dead or Alive frontman Pete Burns passed away suddenly on October 23^rd. The following day US 60s idol Bobby Vee died. He was 73.

Singer song writer, Leonard Cohen died on the 10^th November. He was best known possibly for the hit Hallelujah .

 

 

 

 

The Man from U.N.C.L.E, Robert Vaughan passed away on November 11^th aged 83. He enjoyed a glitzy career, appearing in classic Western The magnificent Seven and The blockbuster Supermanlll. He was known in recent years as Milton in Coronation Street.

Comedy actor Andrew Sachs , most famous for his hilarious role in Fawlty Towers died on the 1^st day of December. He was 86.

 

Greg Lake, part of 70’s super group Emerson, Lake and Palmer died on 7^th December, his track, I believe in Father Christmas is a seasonal favourite.

Hollywood legend Zsa Zsa Gabor left us on December 18^th aged 99. The Hungarian born actress shot to fame as an actress although to many she was possible more well known for marrying and for the many delightful quotes attributed to her. She is quoted as saying “a man in love is incomplete until he is married, then he is finished” and “being jealous of a beautiful woman is not going to make you more beautiful”. She also quipped “I’m a marvellous housekeeper- every time I leave a man I keep the house”

 

 

On Christmas day we settled down in the evening, full of dinner and Christmas cheer to the news that George Michael had died at lunch time. The former Wham star apparently passed peacefully at home aged just 53.

 

 

On December 28^th we lost Debbie Reynolds tragically just the day after her daughter Carry Fisher. Reynolds was described as Hollywood royalty, staring in musicals such as Singing in the rain. Fisher of course had suffered years of addiction but seemed to be back on track when she had a heart attack on board an aircraft two days before Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                             Jean Holyhead 1946-2016