Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Yoko Ono have each paid tribute to Cynthia Lennon, following her death at age 75 after a brief battle with cancer.
Cynthia Lennon was the first wife of Beatle John Lennon. A message on the newly established Cynthia Lennon memorial website said she died “following a short but brave battle with cancer”. “Her son Julian Lennon was at her bedside throughout. The family are thankful for your prayers,” reads the statement.
The website also features a tribute song from Julian Lennon and a video montage of family photos and footage. Lennon was born Cynthia Lillian Powell in Blackpool on 10th September 1939. She met John Lennon at art school and the couple married in 1962, right before the height of Beatlemania. They stayed together until 1968.
The Beatles song Hey Jude, was reportedly written by Paul McCartney to comfort Julian Lennon during his parents’ separation.
“The news of Cynthia’s passing is very sad,” Paul McCartney wrote on his website. “She was a lovely lady who I’ve known since our early days together in Liverpool. She was a good mother to Julian and will be missed by us all, but I will always have great memories of our times together.”
Fellow Beatle Ringo Starr also added his condolences, tweeting a message from him and his wife Barbara. “Peace and love to Julian Lennon God bless Cynthia love Ringo and Barbaraxx”.
Yoko Ono, who married John Lennon in 1969 – a year after his divorce from Cynthia – also shared a statement offering her condolences and reflecting on Cynthia Lennon’s “strong zest for life.”
“I’m very saddened by Cynthia’s death,” she wrote on her website. “She was a great person and a wonderful mother to Julian. She had such a strong zest for life and I felt proud how we two women stood firm in the Beatles family. Please join me in sending love and support to Julian at this very sad time.”
Watch: Cynthia Lennon – In Loving Memory
Cynthia Lennon – In Loving Memory http://t.co/jI4ONUnLo9 pic.twitter.com/cwue6VmPUv
— Julian Lennon (@JulianLennon) April 1, 2015
Paul remembers Cynthia Lennon: http://t.co/qqSWRMBm9A
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) April 1, 2015
Peace and love to Julian Lennon God bless Cynthia love Ringo and Barbaraxx
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) April 1, 2015
Please join me in sending love & support to Julian at this very sad time, love yoko
read more: http://t.co/UgMcOfDKyP pic.twitter.com/rt68kl28Rc— Yoko Ono (@yokoono) April 1, 2015
