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Northern Ireland ministers pay tribute to Natasha Richardson
‘This tragedy demonstrates how precious, yet precarious, life is’
Friday, 20 March 2009
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The First and Deputy First Ministers last night led condolences and prayers being offered to Liam Neeson from his native Northern Ireland as he came to terms with the tragic death of his wife.
Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness issued a joint statement offering their sympathies to the family of the Ballymena-born actor after Natasha Richardson’s death in New York on Wednesday.
Mr Robinson said: “I would like to express my deepest sympathies to Liam Neeson and his family circle at this very difficult time. To lose his wife so young and so suddenly is surely devastating. I know that all of us, but particularly those in Ballymena, will be remembering the family in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.”
Mr McGuinness, who attended an event in New York on Sunday along with Natasha's mother, actress Vanessa Redgrave, said: “My thoughts and prayers are with Natasha Richardson's entire family, particularly Liam Neeson and their two sons. It is such a tragedy for two young boys to lose their mother so suddenly. We are all thinking of them and praying for them at this deeply distressing time.”
Their warm tribute came after former DUP leader Dr Ian Paisley offered his sympathy.
The MP for North Antrim, which covers the Ballymena area where Liam Neeson was born, said his thoughts were with the family at this sad time.
“I wish to express my sadness, and extend my prayers to the entire Neeson family who I know are grieving for a terrible, unplanned and tragic loss,” Mr Paisley said.
“To Liam and his two boys I express my sadness and prayers for them for the loss of their wife and mother. And to Liam’s mother in Ballymena who has lost her daughter-in-law I too extend my prayerful sympathy at this time.
“Each of us do not know what a day will bring forth and the suddenness of this tragedy is a demonstration of just how precious, yet precarious life is.
“As MP I want to assure the Neeson, Redgrave and Richardson families of our thoughts at this time.”
Richard Croxford, artistic director at the Lyric Theatre, said everyone at the theatre where Liam began his acting career was “deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible tragedy”.
“Liam is part of the Lyric family and we send our heartfelt sympathies to him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Liam and his family at this difficult time,” he said.
Former UTV presenter Kate Smith, who interviewed the couple on the red carpet at the Oscars ceremony in LA in 1993 — the year Neeson was nominated for Best Actor for Schlinder’s List — recalled Miss Richardson’s pride in her husband.
“I remember very clearly what she said to me and that was how proud she was that Liam had been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor,” she said.
“There were rumours at the time that the pair had got engaged and were planning to marry and as a reporter, I was bold enough to ask her, but she was very discreet. She was a beautiful, talented and articulate woman and was very obviously smitten with Liam.
“It’s heart-breaking that this has happened, I feel gutted for Liam and his two young boys.”
SDLP MLA Declan O'Loan also expressed shock and sadness at her death.
Mr O’Loan, who represents the Ballymena area, said the community was devastated by the sad news of the actress’s death.
“I want to express my sympathy to Liam Neeson, his young sons and the entire Neeson family on the tragic death of Liam's wife, Natasha Richardson,” said Mr O'Loan.
“I know that the people of Ballymena will join with me in this expression of sympathy.
“There is immense pride here in the achievements of Liam Neeson as an internationally known actor and one of great distinction.
“His large family circle here in Ballymena and the surrounding area are very well known and highly respected.
“We are all thinking of them at this time of sadness.”
And SDLP deputy leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell said: “My thoughts and prayers are with Liam Neeson, his family and the Redgrave family.”
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Comments
39 Comments
Nothing will replace a lost love, a love held so deeply.
Holding tightly, memories that bring comfort may be all that can be done.
Allowing time to caress your pain, and sharing memories,
until a measure of happiness, finds a way to gently support you
I lost some one close to me, & its taken two years for some normality to find me again.
my thoughts are with you, as are those of so many...
Posted by sheila | 06.09.09, 17:36 GMT
Dear Familey and friends,
I am a huge fan of Liam and Natasha's work, i love watching the diversity of your work.
No words can describe what you are going through even now months on from you losing your beloved Natasha, I just wanted to say my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I will always remember her and will always be a fan.
xxxxxxx forever in my thoughts
Posted by melanie hill | 12.08.09, 20:04 GMT
Dear Mr. Neeson,
Your performances have touched our hearts.
Now your pain has touched us deeply.
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. Aguilera
Prescott Valley, Arizona
Posted by Mr. and Mrs. Aguilera | 27.05.09, 06:02 GMT
To the family of Natasha Richardson, husband Liam, sons and mother: This Grief, it is heavy, thick and opaque, senseless and impossible. The love, legacy and hope is in the children that are living and share the spirit and genetic being of their mother and father. May your lives be rich in love, laughter and honor the mother and wife that Natasha embodied so well. May your suffering be illuminating as to what is most precious on this earth. Please live fully to honor your mother and wife and become the best people you can become. Your fear, loss, confusion, changes and depth of love are the common denominator in all our lives.
May you find peace through healthy endeavors.
Posted by Antonietta | 08.05.09, 19:26 GMT
i couldnt believe when i heard this , i was in tears :(
such a lovely women , its devistating that this happened.
you have my love and prayers for you and your son to pull thru and stay strong through these difficult times.
god bless you all XXXXX
Posted by mike | 18.04.09, 16:59 GMT
Liam& Family- Our hearts and prayers are with you - To lose a beautiful person as lovely as Natasha. The Lord gave her to you and the wonderful memories . When it was time for her to go home- He wanted you to remember the love she bestowed in your hearts and the qualities she instilled. She will always be in your heart and your son's. Angels are all around us- and so will she. When you see the love and the hurt even tho you didn't know this family personally, you still have heartfelt sympathy and would like to let the family know they are in your prayers and you feel their pain to let them know- God Bless you and your family! Stay close to the Lord in prayers!
Posted by Nancy Armstrong | 28.03.09, 18:37 GMT
When will it ring, I wait each day
the small screen bears no name
keep ringing let me know your fine
The screen is blank , you never came,
Ill wait to hear your voice again,
Just one call to let me know,
that you are safe , will watch over us,
And then Ill let you go.
This modern world can do such things
To keep us close forever,
Dont need a cell phone to remember you.
As your in my heart forever.... hope Liam likes the words xxx
Posted by Donna from Glasgow | 27.03.09, 15:34 GMT
Dear Mr. Neeson,
I am only one of many fans, and the reason it has taken me so long to write is because all of this movie star stuff can get so trite and foolish. But you and your family have been such a good example of how we all should behave. And I have been moved to tell you how touched I am by your bravery. I send you heartfelt condolence. I am so sorry for your loss. Know that a thousand prayers have been sent on your behalf and mine are among them. Thank-you for behaving in such a generous manner . I shall try to remember and follow your example when lifes' twist and turns. Thank-you for giving dear Natasha's organs away. She must be soooo proud. I know she is hugging you from heaven. These pages are for us to "get it out" but I will do my best to remember you and Natasha's charities, and work harder at my own. Your sharing so Publicly your grief and mourning gives me an example to follow and comfort as I face my own lifes' losses. May God Bless You and Keep You.
Posted by Karen Churchill-Hairston | 27.03.09, 15:22 GMT
Mr. Neeson, I am still shocked and deeply sad over the death of your beautiful and talented wife. She was a terrific actress and a very classy, gentle lady. I will miss seeing more of her diverse acting skills. My deep sympathy to you, your children, Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Posted by Suzanne Moreno | 24.03.09, 03:11 GMT
May she rest in peace.
Posted by Ann Murphy | 22.03.09, 21:39 GMT
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife. Your life will never be the same again but it will be henceforth enriched by the sole fact that Natahsa was in your life. Let family and friends comfort you. Let God console you and heal you.
Posted by Sarah | 22.03.09, 11:22 GMT
She was a remarkable woman and a remarkable actress who didnt get nearly enough good roles and whos best film roles were yet ahead of her. Her cinema presence will be missed, she was a class act and Liam was a truly a blessed man for the time that she was in his life. slumdog millionaire box office
My thoughts and prayers go out to Liam and his children and to Mrs. Redgrave, Natashas mother, no mother should ever have to bury her child.
Posted by stephen voss | 22.03.09, 00:21 GMT
My deepest sympathies to the family. God will help you through this.
Posted by Judy | 21.03.09, 23:46 GMT
I want to let the family of Natasha know that my prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. God has her in Heaven and I bet she will alwasys be your Guardian Angel forever.
Jeri
Posted by rosiesophia77@gmail.com | 21.03.09, 20:09 GMT
We send our very deepest sympathy to the family of Natasha Richardson. She wwill always be lovingly remembered as a great treasure to the world of the theatre and a truly wonderful daughter, wife and mother of two very special boys. Her legacy and great talent, as a member of two extraordinary acting families, will live on forever.
Posted by Joan and Carl Lawrence | 21.03.09, 05:16 GMT
we were so saddened and sorry to hear of the tragic death of Natasha. our thoughts are with Liam and the boys and this Sunday wont be a happy mothers day for them. hope they all find strength and comfort in the prayers that are for them.
Posted by alexandra ball | 20.03.09, 17:53 GMT
To Liam and family,
If you should read this please know that millions who do not 'know' you certainly feel your pain and wish to carry you with love through this nightmare. We could see the love you felt for each other and feel terrible. Nothing seems adequate to console you over the loss of your beloved Natasha. The world has less light and beauty. Hugs to all of you in pain.
Posted by Rebecca Janelli | 20.03.09, 05:13 GMT
I am so sorry for you loss, no words can I say can heal your pain. Please know that you and your family are in prays.
Posted by Gina | 20.03.09, 04:08 GMT
I've ever done this before, but i feel sad because of your loss. And i have felt the need of telling you, even you would never read it. I send you all my support, my most deeply condolence and hope you'll be able to gather all strenght you need, and your family need, to go through this and raise again to honor her the way she have deserved.
Posted by JOSE LUIS JOLO | 20.03.09, 02:30 GMT
Another shining star none of us have ever met is soaring with the angels. Yes it is desperately sad but tragedies like this and Goody happen every minute of every day. Do you people just walk the streets wringing your hands and wailing all day? Or is it just celebrities you care about?
Steve: "Writeing this is tough, seeing through the tears", tell me thats sarcasm...
Posted by kwilson | 19.03.09, 22:01 GMT
39 Comments