Dame Deborah James’s mother shares a heartfelt message on the first anniversary of her daughter’s death – as Prince William pays a personal tribute
- Heather James, 65, marks the first anniversary of her daughter’s death
- Read More: Deborah James thanks supporters in video just before her death
Dame Deborah James’s mother has posted a heartfelt message on the first anniversary of her daughter’s death.
Heather James, 65, shared an emotional tribute to her ‘interesting, fun, and manic’ daughter and the ‘incredible legacy’ she left behind.
The broadcaster and former headteacher, known as Bowel Babe, died at the age of 40 in June 2022, five years after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer when she found blood in her stool.
The mother-of-three and grandmother-of-four Heather reflected on her daughter’s life and her ‘determination to help others achieve their full potential’.
Prince William, who visited the cancer campaigner at her parents’ home in Surrey before she died to make her a dame, also paid tribute today, hailing her as an inspiration.
He told The Sun: ‘Dame Debs would be so proud. She inspired the nation. Her legacy will be countless lives saved from bowel cancer.’
Dame Deborah James’s mother has posted a heartfelt message on the first anniversary of her daughter’s death
Taking to Instagram to pay tribute to her daughter, her mother Heather wrote: ‘Today is the first anniversary of our eldest child Deborah’s death. Deborah came into the world full of energy and never stopped over the next 40 years.
‘The past 12 months have not been easy but we remember with immense pride and love the amazing impact she had on so many lives and the incredible legacy she has left.
‘We were young parents when Deborah was born and the first cuddles and touches with your firstborn are something you remember forever and cannot be taken away from you – life with Debs was always interesting, fun, and manic but there was always a determination in her to help others achieve their full potential especially in her teaching career.
‘When first diagnosed with Bowel Cancer it took us time to realise the seriousness of her diagnosis but we immediately knew she wanted to share her story with others to establish open communication about a subject that many considered a taboo – you will all agree she succeeded !
‘We followed and supported her work in the last 5 years of life but also remembered we were there as her ever loving parents and grandparents to her children.
‘In what became very difficult times it was wonderful to see the immense love and support she received from her husband Sebastien and their children, her siblings Sarah & Ben together with the unwavering support of their families.
She continued: ‘During her final weeks at home the atmosphere was unique but most importantly loving – we all understood what the end would be, although I struggled to believe that Deborah was facing the end of her life that she loved so much, but there was a determination to enjoy every last minute and experiences we had together.
‘Although I’m sure nobody expected that Prince William would join us for tea & champagne!!
Heather James, 65, shared an emotional tribute to her ‘interesting, fun, and manic’ daughter and the ‘incredible legacy’ she left behind
The broadcaster and former headteacher, known as Bowel Babe, died at the age of 40 in June 2022, five years after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer when she found blood in her stool
Living life on her own terms despite her illness, she designed Charity T-shirts a clothing line to raise millions more for her Bowelbabe fund
‘Deborah you always provided a challenge but it was your ability to put it in the right direction and communicate so brilliantly that made a difference.
She concluded: ‘As your brother said on the eve of your funeral – from the beginning you taught me how to live – you had that effect on far more people than you ever knew and that is why you were so loved and are now so missed – Deborah we love you for ever. Xx’
Many fans, friends and celebrities rushed to the post to show their support for Heather and her family.
Katie Piper said: ‘I’ve re read this a few times now. Incredibly moving. I often think about Deborah and all the good she did in this life. We have a lot to thank her for.’
Giovanna Fletcher said: ‘Such beautiful words Heather. My Deborah James roses have been growing in the garden and I think about you all whenever I take in their blooms. Sending so much love. Xxxx’
A post shared by Heather James (@heatherjamesofficial)
The mother-of-three and grandmother-of-four Heather reflected on her daughters life and her ‘determination to help others achieve their full potential’
Many fans, friends and celebrities rushed to the post to show their support for Heather and her family
While Gaby Roslin said: ‘Sending you and Alistair and the whole family so much love. She was inspirational and joyous and the best laugh. She’ll always be remembered with such love by everyone who knew her and those that didn’t. What a woman.’
While she was alive Deborah had launched the Bowelbabe cancer research fund to raise money for research into personalised medicine for cancer patients.
Heather has now taken over the campaigns to promote health awareness which she revealed helps her deal with the grief of losing her daughter.
She announced yesterday on her Instagram that the emotional Tell Me It’s Not True by Blood Brothers, which was sung at Deborah’s funeral, will be released as a charity single.
It will be sung by Deborah’s friend Natalie Rushdie to support the Bowelbabe Fund on the anniversary of Deborah’s death and it is due to be released on the 3rd of July.
She recently praised her late daughter’s bowel cancer fund, which has now raised a whopping £11.3 million, on Lorraine.
In May 2022, the podcaster revealed that she had stopped active treatment and was receiving end-of-life care at her parents’ home in Woking, Surrey
In the months leading up to her death, Deborah had Prince William over for tea, who made her a Dame
She said: ‘She’d set a target of £250,000,’ the mother-of-three said, explaining the fund’s origins. ‘I think within a day it hit a million and she was overwhelmed as we all were and I just wish she was here to see it was 11.3 million.
‘But we’re not going to stop there. We’re gonna make it even bigger.’
The grandmother-of-four also candidly opened up about dealing with grief as she continues to work on efforts to tackle the disease and help funding efforts – explaining that the ‘go go go’ nature of the work helps her from slipping into despair.
‘Deborah was always ‘go go go’ and full of energy,’ she told Ranvir Singh.
‘If I have too much time on my hands…you do think ‘this is real, she’s not here anymore’.
‘But she’s such…in our lives – so much, in everything she’s left behind – that I will keep campaigning and if we can do that for Deborah’s legacy that’s great but grieving-wise I think it’s more hard now reality’s set in.’
Heather revealed she felt feeling ‘numb’ with grief before realising that the loss ‘is real’.
Dame Deborah was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016. She continued to raise awareness about the disease until her death on June 28, 2022.
The Dame also wrote and published her second book How to Live When You Could Be Dead, while suffering from cancer, detailing how developing a positive mindset was key to enabling her to cope with her diagnosis
The former deputy head teacher, who was known to many as Bowel Babe, intimately detailed the last five years of her life online.
Her candid posts about her progress and diagnosis – including videos of her dancing her way through treatment – won praise from the public and media alike.
She launched the You, Me And The Big C podcast in 2018, alongside Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland.
In May 2022, the podcaster revealed that she had stopped active treatment and was receiving end-of-life care at her parents’ home in Woking, Surrey, with her husband and their two children on hand.
In the months leading up to her death, Deborah had Prince William over for tea, who made her a Dame.
Living life on her own terms despite her illness, she designed Charity T-shirts a clothing line to raise millions more for her Bowelbabe fund.
The Dame also wrote and published her second book How to Live When You Could Be Dead, while suffering from cancer, detailing how developing a positive mindset was key to enabling her to cope with her diagnosis.
She told her children, Hugo, 15 and Eloise, 13, to ‘take chances and experience life now’ and to marry for love in a heartbreaking final letter.
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