Gemma Collins has shared a heartbreaking message after announcing the death of her mother.
Earlier this week, the TOWIE star confirmed that her mother Joan had passed away at the age of 70, just one month after being admitted to hospital with pneumonia.
Joan had suffered from health difficulties in recent years, and had been taken to hospital with pneumonia on three separate occasions.
A few days on from her mother’s passing, Gemma has now shared a heartbreaking message about her grief.
On Instagram, the 45-year-old posted a photo of bouquets and candles surrounding a portrait of her with her late mother.
In the caption of her post, Gemma penned: “Grief is the price we pay for love. ❤️”
The reality star then went on to thank her fans for their sympathies after her mother’s passing.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every message, every prayer, every kind word. I’m reading them all and getting back to everyone slowly. Please bear with me. Some moments I feel okay, and then it comes in waves,” she wrote.
“One beautiful thing keeps happening. A butterfly has been with me constantly, appearing wherever I go. It brings me a sense of peace, and in my heart I truly feel it’s my mum letting me know she’s close, watching over me, and reminding me that love never really leaves us.
“Thank you all for holding me up with your kindness. It means more than you’ll ever know. She loved @paulmccartney and the @thebeatles I’m finding lots of healing listening to the music,” she added.
On Wednesday, Gemma confirmed that her mother Joan had passed away.
Sharing an old photo of her mother on Instagram, she wrote: “My heart is shattered into a million pieces 🤍 Today our beautiful mum passed away peacefully surrounded by LOVE 🤍🐦⬛ Mum, today, every piece of my heart left with you.
“No words will ever be enough to thank you for loving me, guiding me, and being my mum. You gave me life, you gave me strength, and you gave me memories that I will carry for every day I have left.
“The house will never sound the same without you. Your voice, your smile, your little ways, they are woven into every corner of my life. I will miss you more than I could ever put into words.
“I hope you are finally free from pain. I hope you can walk again, laugh again, and feel light. I hope you are surrounded by peace and by everyone who has gone before you, watching over us with love.
“Thank you for every hug, every sacrifice, every lesson, and every moment. Thank you for being my mum. It has been the greatest privilege to be your daughter. Until we meet again, I will carry your love with me. I will look for you in the sunrise, in the flowers, in the birds singing, and in the quiet moments when I need you most.
“Sleep peacefully, my beautiful Mum what gives me comfort was today we was all with you 🤍🐦⬛ You will be loved forever, missed every single day, and never, ever forgotten. Gemma 🐦⬛🤍,” she added.
