‘We are all devastated’: Michelle Collins reveals her mother Mary has passed away following two-year cancer battle as she calls her the ‘kindest woman I knew’
Michelle Collins has revealed her mother Mary has passed away following a two-year battle with cancer.
The former EastEnders actress, 59, said she was ‘devastated’ by the loss and described her mother as the ‘kindest woman I knew’.
Michelle confirmed the news by shared a heartwarming snap of herself alongside her mother in a café.
Heartbreaking: Michelle Collins has revealed her mother Mary has passed away following a two-year battle with cancer
She wrote: ‘My beautiful Mummy passed away on Friday 30th April . We are all devastated.
‘She leaves behind her partner Sid , daughters Vicky and myself , 3 grandchildren Charlotte , Jack and Maia and her nephews and nieces whom she loved very much and her little dog #nano from @alldogsmatter.
‘She was the strongest, kindest woman I knew. Fierce, protective, passionate, clever, funny, articulate. She gave Vicky and I our #drive and #hunger for life.’
Michelle said her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer a couple of years ago as she thanked the Royal Free London NHS’ oncology department for caring for her.
Family: The former EastEnders actress, 59, said she was ‘devastated’ by the loss and described her mother as the ‘kindest woman I knew’ (pictured with her mother and sister Vicki in 2006)
She wrote: ‘She was diagnosed with terminal cancer a couple of years ago but had @immunotherapyforcancer treatment which gave her a couple more years.
‘Thank you @royalfreelondonnhs #oncology dept for always being so amazing in caring for her .and #thewhittingtonhospital for caring for her at the end also the wonderful 2 #paramedics ( one was called Jack ) who cared for her in the morning .
‘You will always be with us mummy . I love you xxx. I don’t know how the charity shops in #eastfinchley will manage without you!’
Michelle wrote: ‘She was the strongest, kindest woman I knew. Fierce, protective, passionate, clever, funny, articulate. She gave Vicky and I our #drive and #hunger for life’
Health: Michelle said her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer a couple of years ago as she thanked the Royal Free London NHS’ oncology department for caring for her (pictured together in 1999)
Michelle rose to fame for her role as Cindy Beale in EastEnders, first joining the soap in 1988 for a two-year stint.
She returned to Albert Square two years later before departing for good in 1998.
Michelle later joined the cast of rival soap Coronation Street, joining the ITV series as Stella Price in 2011.
Role: Michelle rose to fame for her role as Cindy Beale in EastEnders, first joining the soap in 1988 for a two-year stint
She departed the soap three years later, telling Manchester Evening News it was difficult to juggle work in Manchester with her responsibilities as a parent to daughter Maia, 24, in London.
She said: ‘I’d always said I’d only do three years on the show, which is what I’ve done. Everyone knows I’m a single mum, and ultimately my daughter is my priority and it was tough dividing my time between Manchester and London.’
Michelle shares her daughter with ex-partner Fabrizio Tassalini while she has been in a relationship with boyfriend Mike Dawson, 37, for more than eight years.
Next move: Michelle later joined the cast of rival soap Coronation Street, joining the ITV series as Stella Price in 2011 and left in 2014