NEED TO KNOW
Kevin Smith is mourning the death of his mom Grace.
On Nov. 30, the Clerks director, 55, shared a photo of himself with his mom in a hospital room and revealed that he flew to Florida days prior for an “unplanned, emergency trip to see Mom, who was suddenly on death’s doorstep.”
Smith added that Grace “bounced back, returning from the brink” in that Thanksgiving weekend update.
However, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, he announced that his mom died the night before. She would have turned 80 later in December.
“The bill for 55 years of unconditional love came due on December 1st, and the costly price was having to watch the strongest person I’ve ever known – my absolute favorite person in the world – exit the stage after a lifetime of setting it for her children. My Mom is gone,” Smith wrote in an Instagram caption, sharing a gallery of family photos.
Kevin Smith/Instagram
The filmmaker called his mom “the first person I ever loved” and praised her for having “a stronger heart that had a tendency to put everyone else first.”
Smith was raised by Grace and dad Don, along with siblings Donald Jr. and Virginia. Don Sr. died from a heart attack in 2003 at age 67.
“She was a lioness, fiercely protective of her pride, who lived for her kids,” he added of his mom, “so there’s never been a day in my life when I didn’t know in my bones that I was valued as human being, cherished as a child, and deeply loved beyond reason. My Mom made me feel like I mattered – to our family, to the world, and especially to her.”
Kevin Smith/Instagram
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The Chasing Amy filmmaker said his mom was his “biggest fan” and told his fans, “If you like me or anything I’ve ever made, she was the blueprint.”
“I will miss her for the rest of my days but I also know how lucky I was to have had as much time as I got with my Mom,” wrote Smith, adding that he’ll be canceling several upcoming events and appearances because “I’m gonna grieve Grace for awhile.”
Smith, who shares daughter Harley Quinn Smith with wife Jennifer Schwalbach, concluded his tribute by thanking his “Ma” for “making me and taking me on the journey of a lifetime. I love you so much, Mom. You’ve always been, and will forever be, my hero. Love, Tiger.”
