Natasha Richardson's Funeral Details, Friend Reactions
Mar. 18 2009, Published 12:52 p.m. ET
As fans, friends, and family begin to mourn the passing of Natasha Richardson, details surrounding her funeral are surfacing as are comments from colleagues remembering the type of person she was. In Richardson’s last hours, she was surrounded by loved ones including her mother Vanessa Redgrave, husband Liam Neeson, and her sons Michael, 13, and David, 12.
“It was a tragic scene,” a source says, summing up Richardson’s final moments. As of Wednesday evening, shortly after her death was announced to the world, two guarded black SUV vehicles were being readied near the hospital’s exit in preparation for the family’s departure. Shortly after, Richardson’s sister Joely Richardson entered the first one as Neeson and their two sons entered the second one.
A source also tells RadarOnline.com that a private funeral is expected to be held in New York within the next three days.
Richardson was transferred to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York on Tuesday and had been on life support ever since. Friends and colleagues are beginning to react as the unexpected news sinks in. “I’m shocked and deeply saddened by this,” says Nick Moore who directed Richardson’s last film Wild Child. “She was wonderfully generous and kind. A complete joy to be with.” He called the actress “classy and special” and someone who had a knack for helping the children onset. “All the kids in the movie loved being around her. She pitched in and was great with them. She lead by example.”
The Foundation for AIDS research (amfAR) was also touched by her passing. Richardson had been so involved in the organization that she was made a board member in 2007. “Our hearts go out to her family,” they said in a statement. “She generously contributed her time and resources to amfAR for over fifteen years. Natasha’s passion for the cause and tireless efforts gave hope and inspiration to the scientists and healthcare workers on the front lines of this deadly epidemic, as well as to the millions of people living with HIV/AIDS around the world."