![\"KSI](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/gemma-collins-thanks-fans-for-holding-me-up-with-kindness-after-mother-s-death.jpg\")
Gemma Collins has thanked people for their support following the death of her mother (Ian West\/PA)<\/p>\nGemma Collins has thanked her friends and fans for \u201cholding me up with kindness\u201d following her mother\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, The Only Way Is Essex star, 45, announced the death of her mother Joan \u2013 who had been suffering from pneumonia.<\/p>\n
A few days on, she has shared a post thanking people for their support.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrief is the price we pay for love,\u201d she captioned her post, in which she shared an image of a small shrine she had made \u2013 which featured a photograph of her with her mother, as well as flowers, candles and a statue of the Virgin Mary.<\/p>\n
Gemma Collins has thanked people for their support following the death of her mother (Ian West\/PA)<\/p>\n
She continued: \u201cThank you from the bottom of my heart for every message, every prayer, every kind word. I\u2019m reading them all and getting back to everyone slowly. Please bear with me. Some moments I feel okay, and then it comes in waves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collins then went on to share how \u201cone beautiful thing keeps happening\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cA 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\u2019s my mum letting me know she\u2019s close, watching over me, and reminding me that love never really leaves us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Concluding the post, she said: \u201cThank you all for holding me up with your kindness. It means more than you\u2019ll ever know. She loved @paulmccartney and the @thebeatles I\u2019m finding lots of healing listening to the music.\u201d<\/p>\n
Commenting on the post, Collins\u2019 Towie co-star Jess Wright wrote: \u201cLove you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her mother Carol Wright added: \u201cThinking of you, your mum will be with you all the time. Never forget the love you had between you and your mummy.\u201d<\/p>\n
When announcing her mother\u2019s death, Collins said her heart was \u201cshattered into a million pieces\u201d.<\/p>\n
Sharing a black and white photo of Joan smiling for the camera, she wrote on Instagram: \u201cToday our beautiful mum passed away peacefully surrounded by LOVE. Mum, Today, every piece of my heart left with you.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cI 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.<\/p>\n
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When announcing her mother\u2019s death, Collins said her heart was \u201cshattered into a million pieces\u201d (Ian West\/ PA)<\/p>\n
\u201cThank 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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