Since Linda Nolan’s life revolved around her love of music, it was inevitable that her funeral would feature many of her favorite songs. The singer admitted to praising her late younger sister Bernie, who tragically passed away in 2013 at the age of 52 from breast cancer, for having planned her own funeral.
However, Linda, who died last month aged 65 after a long journey with secondary breast cancer, found it difficult to follow suit, choosing instead to focus on living each day to the fullest. There was, however, one song that she and Brian had selected years ago for their eventual funerals: Faith Hill’s “There You’ll Be”.
The moving ballad was performed once more at St Paul’s on Saturday, February 1 as Linda’s pink coffin was carried through the same doorway in a fitting homage to Brian’s service.
Music from Linda’s dear friend Donny Osmond, her childhood crush whose posters adorned her and Bernie’s bedroom wall, was always destined to feature in her last rites. Given that Linda had sung it alongside her idol during his 2017 tour of Liverpool, his song Twelfth Of Never lifted the audience. After Linda and her sisters first met in the 1970s, the two first forged a relationship.
Naturally, Linda’s own voice also took centre stage. Never one to shy away from the spotlight, she featured God Knows, a track from The Nolans ‘ 1982 album, Portrait, which she performed solo the following year during a BBC TV special, in the service.
The stunning star is at her best, her large blue eyes twinkling brightly under sky-blue eyeshadow in an online video of that heartfelt performance. The lyrics ‘ I’ll never leave you ‘ seem to resonate deeply with her family, friends, and fans who are currently grieving her passing.
Another song, When It’s Over, which Linda frequently performed during her ten-year run until 1993 as Maggie May on Blackpool’s Central Pier, dressed in a basque and sporting voluminous blonde curls, also brought the house down.
Finally, Linda chose Frank Sinatra’s Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone for the final song of the concert, leaving mourners in fits of giggles as they listened to the lyrics, “Please don’t talk about me when I’m gone.” Oh, honey, though, our friendship ceases from now on.
” And, listen, if you can’t say anything real nice, it’s better not to talk at all, is my advice. “
The Nolans are raising money for their local Trinity House hospice, in Blackpool, which helped both Linda and her sister Bernie. If you’d like to donate or would like to leave a tribute to Linda, please visit linda-nolan. muchloved.com
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply