Radio presenter Zoe Ball has held her late mother’s funeral (Picture: Instagram/@zoetheball)
Zoe Ball has described her late mother Julia Peckham’s funeral as the ‘perfect day’ in an emotional tribute to her just 12 weeks after her cancer diagnosis.
The radio DJ announced that her mum had pancreatic cancer in early March before taking some time away from her BBC show to care for her.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday night, the 53-year-old shared a slew of family pictures including Julia as she reflected on her heartbreak.
‘Yesterday we said goodbye to our dear Mama, Granny J. It was the perfect day and she would have loved it,’ Zoe shared.
‘Forever in our hearts Mama, thank you for your magic & love. Missing you so much but holding tight to each other.’
She went on to thank fans and family for their support, as well as her children Woody, 23, and 14-year-old Nelly for their eulogies, and share love with those going through similar losses.
Julia Peckham died last month, just 12 weeks after her cancer diagnosis (Picture: Instagram/@zoetheball)
Zoe marked the day, which she called ‘perfect’, with several family photos of Julia across the years (Picture: Instagram/@zoetheball)
This included a sweet picture of Zoe with her mum as a young adult (Picture: Instagram/@zoetheball)
She also posted photos from Julia’s younger years (Picture: Instagram/@zoetheball)
‘Thank you to everyone who sent kind messages, cards & flowers. Big love to the many of you who have shared with us about your own loss and heartbreak, to those battling with cancer or looking after loved ones affected by cancer.
‘We wish you all the strength and love and of course the humour you need to keep going,’ she added, admitting that ‘some days it’s so hard to be brave’.
Revealing the abrupt timeline of her mum’s illness, Zoe also shared that the family now had plans to get involved with cancer charities.
‘My wonderful brother Jamie @tikikontiki and I will be fundraising in the future for the fantastic caring folk at @stpeterstjames & @pancreaticcanuk.
‘Let’s hope one day more can be done to help those diagnosed. Our Mum was diagnosed In February, we lost her in just 12 weeks. 💔’
Another picture showed Zoe with her mum, brother Jamie, and their kids (Picture: Instagram/@zoetheball)
Zoe has shared that she and her brother will be fundraising for cancer charities (Picture: Instagram/@zoetheball)
Her photos included a recent picture of Julia smiling in a frame, as well as pictures from both her mum and her own childhood, with Zoe as a toddler in one about to be given a kiss and the duo together during Zoe’s teenage years.
The final picture was one of Zoe and her mum with her brother Jamie Clark and their kids.
She was supported by her friends in the comment section, including Richard E. Grant, who left a string of heart emoji, as well as several members of the Strictly Come Dancing family.
‘All love,’ wrote Claudia Winkleman alongside some red hearts, who Zoe took over the job of hosting spin-off show It Takes Two from for 10 years in 2011.
The radio DJ had taken time off form her breakfast show to look after her mum, as well as in the wake of her death (Picture: BBC)
Julia and Zoe in 2011 (Picture: Rex/Shutterstock)
‘Sending you so much my beautiful Zoe. Love you dearly ❤️❤️ ,’ wrote Gaby Roslin, who stepped in to cover Zoe’s slot in recent weeks and announced her mother’s death on air in April.
One of the broadcaster’s named charities responded too, with Pancreatic Cancer UK commenting: ‘Sending you so much love, Zoe. We’re incredibly grateful for your support, and we will not stop fighting for earlier detection and better treatments for this devastating disease.
‘You’re all in our thoughts.’
After revealing that her mother had been moved to hospice care just a week before her death, Zoe later announced the death of her ‘dear Mama’ in the early hours of April 24.
Zoe made her mum’s diagnosis public in March (Picture: Instagram/@zoetheball)
She added: ‘Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy, and how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts.
‘We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other. Your grace & your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us.’
She had previously said that her mother’s cancer was ‘heartbreakingly quite advanced’ and the family were focusing on making memories together.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
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