FITTING FAREWELL
‘It was the perfect day’ Zoe Ball pays tribute to late mum Julia as she celebrates her life at her funeral
The radio star made a pledge in her social media tribute
ZOE Ball paid a heartfelt tribute to her late mum Julia tonight as she shared details from her funeral.
Julia died from pancreatic cancer last month just 12 weeks after being diagnosed.
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Yesterday her family celebrated her life, with Zoe, 53, telling fans her mum would have loved the service.
Alongside a collection of family photographs uploaded to Instagram, Zoe wrote: "Yesterday we said goodbye to our dear Mama, Granny J. it was the perfect day and she would have loved it.
"Forever in our hearts Mama, thank you for your magic & love. missing you so much but holding tight to each other.
"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.
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"We wish you all the strength and love. and of course the humour you need to keep going. some days it's so hard to be brave."
Zoe said she and her brother Jamie will fundraise in the future for St Peter & St James' hospice in Haywards Heath and Pancreatic Cancer UK.
There were then thank yous for those involved in the service including her children Woody, 23, and Nelly, 14, who read eulogies.
The wake took place inside Pangdean Barn which Zoe called "the most magnificent venue" in the foot of the South Downs.
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Radio 2 DJ Zoe announced her mother Julia's passing on social media last month. She has not been on the radio since.
Posting on X, Zoe said: "Sleep tight dear Mama.
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"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."
Zoe's son Woody said: "Today I say goodbye to Granny J, thank you for being a wonderful woman.
"The only person who always sent me a Valentine's card."
The announcement came just days after Zoe revealed her mum had been moved into a hospice following her diagnosis.
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She said on air at the time: "Mum's in hospice now, pretty tough at the moment for the family.
"I just want to say thank you to John, Scarlett and Charlie, both Charlies, actually, and Sophie and Laura who are really looking after mum."
"Things are really tough for my mum at the moment, just sending out loads of love.
"Love you Mum."
After the show, Zoe was flooded with messages from supportive listeners.
In a Twitter post, she shared a message thanking her fans along a snap of a bluebell wood.
Zoe said: "Thank you for all your kindness. The messages, letters and cards for our Mum mean the world.
"Strength and love to the many families and folk touched by cancer.
"Holding tight and so grateful to the incredible people looking after our Ma. We passed these bluebells on the way to the hospice."
The star has previously spoken about her complex relationship with Julia after her parents separated.
Zoe said in the past: "I didn’t see my mum Julia for a few years – she was very young when she married my dad and had me.
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"When they parted I lived with my dad and my other ‘mum’, his wife Diane."
But Zoe and Julia grew very close in recent years and Zoe supported her mum after her husband died in 2013.
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