Rio’s moving tribute after mother loses fight for life
HEARTBROKEN United star Rio Ferdinand has paid an emotional tribute to his mother who died of cancer.
In a moving post on Instagram he described Janice St Fort, 58, as ‘inspirational’.
He and his family announced that she had died in hospital last Thursday. It is the second tragedy to have struck the ex-England star in the last two years after his wife Rebecca Ellison died from breast cancer in May 2015.
Rio wrote: “It won’t ever be enough but I just want to say thanks, a really big thank you.
“The ability you had to make me feel loved at every moment in my life without even having to say it or be there by my side will never be forgotten.
“You were a fighter, a little fighter but with a huge heart. And you wore that heart on your sleeve throughout.
“All I ever wanted in life from as young as I can remember was to make you proud and I know I must of got somewhere near to doing that .... because your chest was puffed out as big as anyone’s whenever my name was mentioned or when you was in a stadium watching me play...
“You were fiery, you were protective, you was soft & hard faced when need be... you loved hard, you disciplined me, you were a grafter & you were my everything. I sit here now thinking & the only negative I can think of is that you talked for too long on the phone!!”
He added: “At my most difficult time, you were my shining light & made it your mission to be there for me & my kids... trust me that will never forgotten.
“From school runs to homework to making them smile... to starting horse riding lessons .... they will always remember. You are the most selfless & giving person I have ever known which came from a genuine place of love.”
He ended: “Love you mummy. Rio x.”